LAGOS State governor Babatunde Fashola has appealed to the Nigerian Army to reconsider the death sentences imposed on 54 soldiers for dereliction of duty and misconduct in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.
Last month, 54 soldiers were sentenced to death by firing squad by a General Military Court Martial set up by the Nigerian Army after being found guilty of mutiny. Over the last few months, there have been at least two major court-martials in which 66 soldiers have been sentenced to death for mutiny.
In a big crackdown on dissent, mutiny cowardice and a lack of professionalism within the armed forces, the military is stepping up the trials of soldiers for their failings against Boko Haram. In December, the army also dismissed 203 soldiers after a secret court martial for allegedly disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer to take on Boko Haram.
Prior to the conviction of the 54 soldiers, another general court martial had convicted 12 out of 18 soldiers tried for mutiny on September 14, 2014. Altogether, the total number of troops convicted and sentenced to death by the Nigerian Army for Boko Haram-related offences add up to 70.
Calling on the military authorities to reconsider the sentences, Governor Fashola said that they should be commuted to jail terms. He made the appeal at an inter-denominational service to mark the 2015 Armed Force Remembrance Day, held at The Chapel of Christ The Light in Ikeja.
While recognising the need for the military to sustain its paramount code of ethics as it relates to discipline and strict adherence to rule of engagement, the governor, however, stressed that he believes the officers and men involved are now sober and therefore deserved to be forgiven with the reduction of their punishment. He noted that the call for leniency is not to justify their actions but to plead with the government to reduce the gravity of the punishment and not make it greater than their offence.
Governor Fashola also urged Nigerians to continue to support the families of soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice and those with life-time injuries in the service of the country by donating towards their upkeep. Brigadier Dalubo, the commander of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who represented the military, said that the federal government has set aside January 15 as Remembrance Day.
He called on Nigerian to dedicate this period to the remembrance of the country's fallen heroes who had paid the supreme price for the unity of the nation. Brigadier Dalubo also emphasised that Nigeria will always remember the contribution of its fallen heroes and will do everything in its power to support and cater for the families they left behind.
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