Nigerian Army dismisses three soldiers over armed robbery, kidnapping

The Nigerian military has dismissed three of its personnel who were arrested for allegedly engaging in armed robbery and kidnapping.

The suspects: Lance Corporal Abdul Musa, Corporal Innocent Okwoli and Corporal West Isaac, were last month arrested by police officer during an operation with some civilians.

Consequently, the soldiers were charged, tried, found guilty and subsequently dismissed from service in line with the provision of the Armed Forces Act Caps A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

A military source told SaharaReporters that the dismissed army men were notorious for kidnapping truck drivers and diverted the goods being transported, to a another location.

The source said; “The soldiers were arrested by men of the Nigerian Police Force for the offence of armed robbery and kidnapping. After their arrest, the police handed them over to the army authorities for own investigation.

During the course of investigation, it was observed that the soldiers were perpetual criminals who always robbed trucks and diverted goods being carried to a warehouse where they do sell them. They also kidnapped these drivers and others, they always carry out these operations alongside some civilians.

Furthermore, they were summarily tried and dismissed and were also handed over to the police as the offences they committed were pure civil related offences for further investigation and prosecution.”