Army Court Martial Sentences Soldier To D£ath For K!lling Tricyclist In Bauchi

Army Court Martial Sentences Soldier To Death For Killing Tricyclist In Bauchi

According to evidence presented during trial, Musa conspired with an accomplice, identified simply as Mr. Oba, to lure the unsuspecting tricycle rider into his residence under the guise of helping him move personal belongings.

The General Court Martial sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday sentenced Private Lukman Musa to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a commercial tricycle operator, Mr. Abdulrahman Isa, in Azare, Bauchi State.

The judgment, delivered on September 18, 2025, was presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, who found the soldier guilty on two counts — culpable homicide and unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to evidence presented during trial, Musa conspired with an accomplice, identified simply as Mr. Oba, to lure the unsuspecting tricycle rider into his residence under the guise of helping him move personal belongings.

Once inside, Musa reportedly struck Isa on the head with a wooden object, rendering him unconscious, before strangling him to death.

In a failed attempt to cover his tracks, Musa and Oba stuffed Isa’s lifeless body into a sack and dumped it between Shira and Yala villages in Bauchi State.

The soldier and his accomplice later sold off the victim’s tricycle, exposing the premeditated nature of the crime.

Military prosecutors also revealed that investigators recovered 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition in Musa’s possession without lawful authority.

In his ruling, Brig. Gen. Bello did not mince words, describing Musa’s conduct as “barbaric, heartless, and a gross violation of military ethics and values.”

“You mercilessly metamorphosed from a defender of citizens to a killer. Your action is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Nigerian Army,” Bello declared in court.

For culpable homicide, contrary to Section 220 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 221, Musa was sentenced to death by hanging. On the charge of unlawful possession of ammunition, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, he was slammed with two years’ imprisonment. He was also dismissed from the Nigerian Army “with ignominy,” stripped of his rank, and denied all privileges.

Major Aminu Mairuwa, Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services, 3 Division, said the ruling underscored the military’s resolve to maintain discipline and accountability.

“This judgment signifies the Nigerian Army’s resolve to ensure that no personnel operates outside the law or laid-down standard operating procedures,” Mairuwa said.

The court martial was convened under the authority of Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace.

For the grieving family of the slain tricycle operator, Thursday’s ruling offered some measure of closure. Anas Isa, elder brother of the deceased, told reporters after the verdict:

“We are very happy with what the court has done. We never believed justice would be served this way, but today we are grateful.”

The trial, which began in August after Musa’s arrest through a joint military and police investigation, drew widespread attention because of the sheer brutality of the crime and its potential to erode public confidence in the military.