Army Condemns 54 Soldiers To Death By Firing Squad for disobeying orders from commander

A Nigerian Army court martial has sentenced 54 soldiers to death by firing squad while five have been discharged and acquitted.

The sentencing is currently ongoing at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Abacha Barracks, Abuja.

The 54 were among the 59 soldiers who were serving in the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno state, but allegedly refused lawful orders by their commander to proceed on a mission to clear out terrorists and secure a town for subsequent military deployments.

The other five of the 59 were discharged and acquitted by the military court. All the soldiers had pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them at the commencement of the trial last October.

Details of the sentencing is however sketchy as stern looking soldiers posted at the entry gate into the Mogadishu Barracks, turned journalist away, saying they had instructions not to allow the media into the barracks.