A Nigerian Army General Court Martial at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, 3 Division, Rukuba, Plateau State, has sentenced Private Lukman Musa to death by hanging for the murder of commercial tricycle operator Abdulrahman Isah in Bauchi State.
The court, led by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, found Musa guilty on two charges: culpable homicide and illegal possession of ammunition.
The sentencing came after a full trial conducted under Law 47 of the Armed Forces Rules of Procedure, 1972.
During the trial, it was revealed that Musa, with the help of one Mr. Uba, lured the victim to his residence at the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare under the guise of needing assistance to move some items. Once there, Musa fatally struck Isah with a wooden object.
He then concealed the body in a sack he had bought, transported it using the victim’s tricycle, and dumped it in a nearby village before selling the tricycle.
Delivering the judgment, Brig. Gen. Bello described Musa’s actions as “heinous, deliberate, and premeditated,” stressing that they betray the Nigerian Army’s core values of discipline, integrity, and protection of civilians.
Musa was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide and two years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition.
He was also dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy, pending confirmation of the sentence by the appropriate military authority.
On the ammunition charge, the court found Musa guilty after he failed to account for four missing rounds from his service rifle. A subsequent search of his house uncovered additional ammunition hidden in a bag.
Major Aminu Mairuwa, Acting Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division, told journalists that the ruling demonstrates the Army’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and criminal conduct.
“No personnel is above the law. The Army remains committed to justice, order, and professionalism,” he said.
The stepbrother of the deceased expressed gratitude to the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, and the Nigerian Army.
“This verdict has brought peace to our family,” he said.
