The 54 Nigerian soldiers sentenced to death for refusing to fight Boko Haram are being kept in “inhumane conditions” without any food, military sources have revealed to Premium Times.
Last Sunday, the soldiers were moved to Lagos from Abuja. According to sources, the soldiers were subjected to starvation from Sunday to at least Wednesday. They are being held in two cells, shackled by legs.
“The first cell has 30 soldiers. The second is underground and has 24 soldiers,” a source disclosed. “There are no beds, no mattresses.”
However, speaking to journalits, Major General Chris Olukolade, the Nigerian Defence Spokesperson, debunked the claims and stated thatthe Nigerian military will not violate rights of its detainees.
“The military is not involved in that kind of scenario being painted,” he said. “All the lies are aimed at blackmailing the justice process. The rights of any detainee will not be violated but the military will not yield to blackmail. The law is following its due cause.”
It would be recalled that the convicted soldiers, mostly officers involved in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in Northeast Nigeria, were attached to the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Borno State. On August 4, they refused to join the 111 Special Forces Battalion troops for an operation against Boko Haram.
A military court sitting in Abuja sentenced them to death by firing squad on December 17 after finding the soldiers guilty of mutiny against the authorities. All the accused soldiers pleaded not guilty to the charges, arguing they were prepared to fight but had no equipment. They are awaiting confirmation of their death sentences by the military council, and thereafter, an appeal that may bring them freedom or the death stake.
One of the condemned soldiers, Fahat Fahat, recently took to Facebook where he lamented the death sentence he and 53 colleagues were given.
Many Nigerians have condemned the sentencing, noting that the soldiers are being made scapegoats for the corruption that led to the diversion of funds allocated for military supplies and equipment.
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I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 27-12-2014 09:43 PM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero
EVERYBODY at 27-12-2014 09:58 PM (10 years ago) (m)
NO BE DEATH SENTENCE NA SO E DEY START TILL DEY DIE,ABEG MAKE UNA LEAVE THIS POOR INNOCENT SOUL.
Posted: at 27-12-2014 09:58 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
Hmmm, menhhh! I still dey enjoy a very delicious nkwobi, isi-ewu, and ugba in my hometown since I arrived from the state. Menhhh! Not like igbo land. Wey my friend femjay make he come follow me chop good life, no be like them(yoruba) wey dey cook poty with too much red oil wey be say if them eat am finish na so so shit shit dey go dey shit dey waka for street.
Posted: at 27-12-2014 10:31 PM (10 years ago) | Hero
morgrawl231 at 28-12-2014 03:19 AM (10 years ago) (m)
Bad,,,,,Thou the Soldiers are to be blamed for not taking it as their responsibilities to confront d BH,,,,rather they were complaining of equipments,,
Posted: at 28-12-2014 03:19 AM (10 years ago) | Hero
Naija our comments show how primitive we are n it is y we have failed woefully, know that those 54 soldiers are sum 1 husband, father, brother, son and bread winners. We should be asking why hasn't any of those so called. High ranking generals gone to the north east to lead by example. I remember tony blair had to face tribunal for sending troops to iraq without the proper equipments
Posted: at 28-12-2014 05:28 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
Borno state gov. Sumtims back said naija army are not well. Equiped and d whole nation roared against him now jonah had to borrow 1b dollars to buy weapons. But d tin is how did jonah and his gens spend 2011 to 2014 defence budget?
Posted: at 28-12-2014 05:33 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
The poor soldiers are suffering and awaiting death while the rich boko haram sponsors are out there contesting for political positions. Tomorrow Jonathan will be willing to grant boko haram ( the killers ) amnesty while the soldier that refuses to fight because there were no weapons are facing death. Hmmmm Nigeria which way forward.
Posted: at 28-12-2014 08:25 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
too bad for the nigeria society 
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