A general Court Martial (GCM) at the 82 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters in Enugu has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for murder and Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment for robbery.

The judgement, delivered by the GCM President, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, followed a thorough trial of the two soldiers. Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, disclosed this in a statement sent to The Guardian in Enugu.

Mohammed was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali, an offence under Section 106 (a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004. The GCM, inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, reviewed evidence, service records, and the plea for mitigation before delivering a unanimous judgement.

“The accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder,” Brigadier General Buhari declared.

In a related judgement, Yusuf was found guilty of robbery at a mall in Enugu. The offence is punishable under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act. Despite pleas for leniency, the court imposed a 10-year sentence, citing societal protection and the army’s reputation. Brigadier General Buhari explained that a unanimous decision required for the maximum sentence was not reached, prompting the 10-year term based on Section 140 (3) of the Act.

The sentences are subject to confirmation by the appropriate authority. The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to maintaining ethical standards, stating that the actions of a few do not represent the institution.