Just In: Soldier Sentenced To Death For Killing Five Rescued Civilians

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Army sentences soldier to death in Borno.

A soldier serving in Operation Lafiya Dole, Lance Corporal John Godwin, has been sentenced to death by a General Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, for killing five civilians rescued in the Yamteke area of state.

Godwin was charged with murder, punishable under Section 106 (a) of Armed Forces Acts (Cap A20), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

Naija News gathered that some other soldiers were also sentenced by the court for various offences ranging from manslaughter to illegal possession of fire arms and ammunition.

Lt Colonel Kingsley Samuel, 7 Division’s spokesperson, who confirmed the sentence, said, “The civilians were earlier rescued by troops of Godwin’s battalion and were taken for investigation at the time he shot and killed five of them.

“Another soldier, Sergeant Innocent Ototo, was sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter after torturing and killing a 13-year-old boy who he said stole his phone.

It was learnt that the incident happened at Zamanbari area of Maiduguri in Borno State.