The Nigerian Army will today (Monday) arraign Capt. Ifeanyi Onu before a general court martial in Sokoto for alleged desertion.

This followed his failure to report at the Forward Operating Base, Gwashi, Zamfara State, where he was deployed on June 20, 2020, to lead troops against insurgents and bandits.

Onu, who was with the 223 Battalion, Zuru, Kebbi State, was said to have refused to take over the command of troops of Operation Hadarin Daji from Capt. S. Maidawa, on the pretext that there was only one General Purpose Machine gun at the location.

The captain also reportedly claimed that he did not report for duty in Gwashi because he did not get a signal directing him to move to the FOB, noting that he merely received a verbal directive from his superior officer to proceed to the new posting.

According to the charge sheet NA Form B 252 obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, the officer was being charged with failure to perform military duties punishable under section 62 (a) of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The accused faces two-year jail term as well as dismissal from the army.

The charge sheet read in part, “The accused, Capt. I. Onu with army no. N/15356, and unit, 223BN, being a person subject to military law is charged with failure to perform military duties punishable under section 62 (a) of the AFA CAP A20, LFN 2004.

“In that, you at FOB, Bukkuyum on or about 202000A Jun 20 was instructed by Maj. S. Raymond (N/12825) over the phone to move to FOB, Gwashi, only for you to tell him that you were not going to take over the location with only one GPMG. Offence reported by Capt. S. Maidawa (N/12825) 1 Div. Garrison; charge by Maj. S. Raymond.”


An updated charge sheet dated August 15 and signed by the acting General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Brig. Gen. A. Bande, charged Onu with desertion contrary to section 60(4)(a) of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 LFN, 2004, punishable under section 60(1) of the same law.



Don’t compromise national interest, navy charges War College
But the accused in his defence said he embarked on the trip to FOB, Gwashi, as directed but reported to sector 6, Anka and when he did not see the commander, went back to his base.



Onu will be defended by his lawyers, ex-Corporal Prince Chukwu; and former Warrant Officer, Idris Tanimu, with Major Abba Goni as the prosecutor.

The GMC will also conduct the trial of Lance Corporal Idakpini Martins, who criticised the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in a viral video last month.


https://punchng.com/army-captain-blames-insufficient-weapons-for-desertion/

Upon all the billions budgeted to fight terrorism and banditry? But which special weapon did the Chadian Army use to bury Boko Haram fighters? Did u guys in the Nigerian army ever hear that the Chadian govt and it's army were rehabilitating Boko Haram terrorists? U keep using Made in Daura failed strategies to battle and u expect Made in USA results ... afterall when its time to fight unarmed civilians u guys jump into the ring like Hulk Hogan, but when the real criminal elements & terrorists show up, you'll begin to read the book of Lamentations to us. You guys should go and give all these ur excuses to one retired general in Aso Rock. If he refuses to listen to it in English, make una speak Hausa.

After releasing all boko members detained by jonathan ... Why wont insecurity be the order of the day in the north...

Now you want a southerner to go die without weapons

Dat one na their problem... We are tired of complaining about the same thing wen nothing will b done about it.. Dis govt will end up completely ruining dis country

Insufficient weapons for the war you have been technically defeated?

Mr Lai, what yah say

Any how

It seems that the Air Force is the best, most equipped and most efficiently run branch in the Armed Forces. Our Navy comes in a close second. However, our Army is in shambles. Anytime you see photos of them in the internet they always look malequipped, except for the Special Forces.

Burutai must go!

Another poor non-initiated fella about to kiss the dust again.How do you pass such a sensitive signal like taking over a command over the phone? The lack of weapons still goes back to the corruption of counter-insurgency funds

Of course, BH are more equipped & being sponsored by insiders.The army under this regime have long gone to the dogs.After all they're the one arresting BH terrorists while the govt recycle them to kill the same army.

Everything in Nigeria is upside down

This is no time to throw tantrums this is the time to act

#MakeNigeriaGreat https://www.nairaland.com/6102683/nigeria-arise-makenigeriagreat

Captain Onu knew he was being sent to a slaughter house

IPOB at work. Check the captain's name and region and you'll know better.

Cjrane2:
Any southerner especially Igbos from southeast and southsouth still joining the Nigerian army simply wants to commit suicide.

They use people from these areas of the country to do suicide missions in the north. Knowing that they have not adequately armed them to succeed in the fight.

Then they send Fulani soldiers to the south to facilitate the setting up of Fulani militia camps in the forests of the south and get ready to begin killing the people when they are ready to start another southern Kaduna insurgency in the south.

Somebody must defend the nation

I dey laugh, I keep tell Soki to come back home, I’ll sneak him and his family out of the country so they can live a peaceful life but no he’s a patriot ready to defend his fatherland fatherland wey no send you and your young family abi fatherland wey no gree arm you properly enough to fight Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen terrorists ? Continue fighting o

all this are just bullshit words for some new looting.. watch how billions are ready to go now

Bolowolowo:
It seems that the Air Force is the best, most equipped and most efficiently run branch in the Armed Forces. Our Navy comes in a close second. However, our Army is in shambles. Anytime you see photos of them in the internet they always look malequipped, except for the Special Forces.

Burutai must go!

Nigerian army isn't as equipped as most militia groups