₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Army has concluded arrangements to arraign 16
soldiers over the April 14, 2014, abduction of over 200 students
of the Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.
Three of the soldiers are officers while the remaining 13 soldiers
belong to other ranks.

Our correspondent gathered in Abuja on Monday that barring
any last minute change, they would appear before the General
Court Martial at the Maxwell Khobe Military Cantonment,
Rukuba, Jos in Plateau State after the Sallah holidays.
The officers are Lieutenant Col. A. O. Ojo, Capt. O. O. Ogunrinde,
and 2nd Lieutenant V.I. Godknows.

The 16 are among 117 soldiers facing a GCM convened by the
General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Army in Kaduna,
Maj.Gen. K. C. Osuji, on August 6, 2014.

A source said their trial would take place at the headquarters of
the 3rd Armoured Division, Rukuba in Jos for security reasons.
The GCM panel comprises Col. J.J. Ogunlade (President); Col. J. O.

Sokoya, Col. M. Kadiri, Col. M. W. Abubakar, Col. A. A. Bamgbose,
Col. A. Garba and Col E.M. Albara.

Lt. Colonels B. Garke and O. S. Obot are the waiting members
of the panel which has Captain A. Mohammed as the judge
advocate and Lt. G. B. Suleiman as the liaison officer.

Investigations on Monday revealed that Ojo, who was the Unit
Commander, in Biu, was summoned to the GCM in relation with
the conflict in the number of girls said to have been abducted by
Boko Haram insurgents and those rescued at the time of the
incident.

The officer is also being charged for alleged failure to reinforce
the Chibok community when the incident occurred.

It was gathered that the officers were being charged for failure
to perform military duty, an offence that attracts a maximum of
two years’ imprisonment.

A source, who confided in our correspondent said that the Lt.
Colonel had stated that the number he gave was not the one
that was used in a statement by the Defence Headquarters on
the reported rescue of some of the abducted girls.
The said statement was later withdrawn.

The source said, “The Lt. Colonel is being charged for allegedly
giving information without verification, negligent performance of
military duty and not going to reinforce the place where the
incident took place. The charge attracts a maximum of two years’
imprisonment.”

He also said that Ojo had not completely taken over from his
predecessor and had complained about the number of men and
equipment on the ground when the abduction took place two
days after his arrival in Biu for the mission.

It was stated that the shortage of men was shown by the fact
that only the 2nd Lt. and 13 soldiers were in Chibok in spite of
the fact that the place had a heavy presence of insurgents.
It was gathered that the other soldiers led by Godknows were on
duty at the headquarters of the Chibok Local Government Area
on the day of the incident.

Another source told our correspondent that the Army was not
notified of the examinations that were going on in the school.
The source said that a statement by the Principal of the School,
Asabe Kwambura, corroborated the soldiers’ claim.

Investigations revealed that the soldiers left their location in
Chibok to lay in ambush when they received a report that
insurgents were planning to attack them on the night the
schoolgirls were seized.

They were said to have lost a soldier during the face-off with the
Boko Haram members.
The source said, “Only Godknows and 13 soldiers were on duty
in Chibok. They were not stationed within the school. No soldier
was stationed in the school and they didn’t know that the school
was in session.

“Nobody notified these people that the girls were having an
examination in the school. Even the principal admitted in her
statement that the soldiers were not notified.

“They were told that their camp was about to be attacked so they
went out to lay in ambush for insurgents. One of the soldiers
died.
“But I can confirm to you that the Army has concluded
preparations to arraign them.”

The abduction of the schoolgirls sparked global outrage with
world leaders calling on the terrorist group and the Federal
Government to ensure their safe release.

http://www.punchng.com/news/lt-col-15-others-to-face-trial-over-chibok-girls/

mehn this the season of court martial ,so many individuals will go so it means they have to measure up or face the consequences.
NA not smiling

Its high time the government start to prosecute those army officials who fails to carry out their jobs to protect lives and properties of Nigerians. They should be charged with deserting their responsibility and post.

Raiders:
Its high time the government start to prosecute those army officials who fails to carry out their jobs to protect lives and properties of Nigerians. They should be charged with deserting their responsibility and post.

Seconded. Nigeria a shit hole because there is no punishment for wrongdoing.

WELCOME DEVELOPMENT ANY COWARDISE BEHAVIOUR IN THE MILITARY SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED AS THEIR RESPONSIBLITY IS TO PROTECT THE SOVERIENGTY OF THE NATION

I don't think we should be too quick to judge these officers. Sometimes the resources needed to execute the war might not be there and thereby making them to retreat or run.
Can anyone reading this tell me what he will do if you are about to be attacked by insurgents numbering over 300 and you requested for reinforcement of men and ammunition and they send you just a handful and a few guns and bullets that will not last beyond 3minutes of intensive gun fire?
And this is after billions had been released in the budget to buy all the arms needed to even over run any insurgents within 48hours.

The problem is not that they were defeated by the insurgents, but that they sometimes don't show resistance at all..that's the most annoying part