Nigerian Soldier Sentenced to Death for Killing Civilian

A somber moment unfolded at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Jos, Plateau State, as a Nigerian soldier, Private Lukman Musa, was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a commercial tricycle operator. The General Court Martial, which handed down the verdict on Thursday, September 18, 2025, has sent a clear and unequivocal message that the Nigerian Army will not tolerate criminal conduct from its personnel, regardless of rank or station. The chilling details of the crime, which took place in Azare, Bauchi State, have shocked the public and underscored the Army’s resolve to uphold justice and discipline within its ranks.

The court, presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, found Private Musa guilty of murder, culpable homicide, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The prosecution presented a harrowing account of how Musa, in a premeditated act of violence, conspired with an accomplice identified only as Oba. The duo had lured the victim, Abdulrahman Isa, into Musa’s residence under the false pretense of needing help to move personal belongings. According to evidence presented, Musa then struck Isa on the head with a wooden object before strangling him to death. In a cold-blooded attempt to cover his tracks, the soldier stuffed the victim’s body into a sack and dumped it between Shira and Yala villages. The victim’s tricycle, a key part of the motive, was later sold. During the investigation, the court also found Musa in unlawful possession of 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a serious offense in itself.

The sentence handed down to Private Musa reflects the gravity of his crimes and the Nigerian Army’s commitment to its own military justice system. A General Court Martial is a special military court with the authority to try military personnel for a wide range of offenses, including those that are also considered civilian crimes, such as murder. Dependable NG confirms that the military justice system is distinct but operates with a similar legal framework to the civilian courts. Private Musa’s conviction for culpable homicide, a crime punishable under Section 221 of the Nigerian Penal Code, carries a mandatory death sentence. While delivering the ruling, Brigadier General Bello condemned Musa’s actions, describing them as “barbaric and heartless.” He stressed that the soldier’s conduct was a grave violation of military values and a betrayal of the Army’s constitutional duty to protect citizens. “You mercilessly metamorphosed from a defender of citizens to a killer. Your action is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Nigerian Army,” Bello declared, in a statement that highlighted the Army’s institutional disappointment.

In addition to the death sentence, Private Musa was also sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy for the charge of unlawful possession of ammunition. The dismissal “with ignominy” is a harsh military punishment that signifies a complete and dishonorable severance from the service. The acting Deputy Director of Legal Services of the 3 Division, Major Aminu Mairuwa, who spoke after the judgment, reiterated that the ruling demonstrates the Army’s commitment to discipline, regimentation, and the administration of justice. He noted that the judgment signifies the Nigerian Army’s resolve to ensure that no personnel operates outside the law or laid down standard operating procedures. The Nigerian Army has, in recent times, demonstrated a pattern of taking decisive action against personnel who commit heinous crimes against civilians, with other soldiers facing death sentences for crimes like murder and armed robbery. This consistent application of military law is an effort to restore public trust and demonstrate accountability at a time when civil-military relations are under scrutiny. The swift and decisive action of the General Court Martial in this case sends a clear message to both military personnel and the general public that criminal acts by soldiers will not be condoned and that justice will be served, in accordance with the law.