Army creates martial court in Lagos, Abuja, Jos

The authorities of the Nigerian
Army have established General
Court Martials in three cities to try
various allegations of offences
against soldiers involved in the on-
going counter-terrorism ad
counter-insurgency operation in
the North-East.
The Director, Army Public Relations,
Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, who said
this during a press briefing on
recent developments in the Army
in Abuja on Wednesday, said that
the courts were in operation in
Abuja, Lagos and Jos.
However, the Army spokesman was
silent on the number of officers and
soldiers undergoing trial in the
military courts established to try all
cases of misdemeanor involving
the operation.
Laleye explained that it would be
difficult to put a figure to the
number of military personnel
undergoing trial as the number was
frequently changing while several
others had been jailed, with others
had been discharged and acquitted.
He said that the success or failure of
the on-going counter terrorism
operation was largely dependent
on adherence to military virtues
such as a high level of discipline,
professionalism and patriotism.
He added that it would be difficult
for the Army to sustain it
achievements and successes in the
on-going operation without a
deliberate step to position the
service as a fighting force through
the strict enforcement of the
stipulations of the laws guiding the
operations of the military.
“Gentlemen, the success of The
Nigerian Army in the on-going
counter-terrorism and counter-
insurgency and indeed other
operations are hinged on troops
discipline, professionalism, and
patriotism.
“Our achievements will be difficult
to sustain if the Army does not
undertake decisive steps to ensure
it remains a formidable fighting
force through time-tested
procedures, processes and the
enforcement of its regulations and
laws in line with the constitution.
“Therefore, as of today, there are
three ongoing General Court
Martial sitting here in Abuja, Lagos
and Jos. These General Court
Martials are trying erring officers
and soldiers for various offences.
Some of the erring officers and
soldiers have been sentenced
while others have been acquitted
according military jurisprudence.