A human rights activist, Mr Chidi Moses, has pleaded with the Nigerian Army authorities not to execute a soldier, Azunna Maduabuchi of 212 battalion, who was recently condemned to death by a military court martial.
Trooper Maduabuchi was condemned to death for shooting to death the adjutant of the battalion, Lt Babakaka Ngorgi in Bama in July, 2020, in close range because his superior officer allegedly did not allow him a pass to travel to the State capital to sort out his personal issues.
The condemned soldier was also reported in the past to have gone away without authorization, prompting his late superior, Babakaka to reject his request to travel out.
This , according to military authorities led to an altercation during which the young soldier used his riffle in killing the adjutant.
Delivering his judgment last Tuesday at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, the president of the court, Brig Gen Arikpo Ekubi said the murder offence was punishable with death under section 106 of Armed Forces Law.
Gen Ekubi however said that the ruling was subject to final confirmation by the appropriate military authority as provided under section 151 subsection 1 (b) and section 152 of Armed Forces Act, 2004 .
But reacting to the death sentence on Sunday in Umuahia,Abia State, the human rights activist said he was pained by the death of Lt Babakaka Ngorgi in the incident but called for clemency for the condemned soldier, suggesting that other forms of punishment could be given to him , not death by firing squad. He urged the higher military authorities not to approve the soldier’s execution but to commute his death sentence to other rulings.
He advised other young officers against resorting to violence in addressing their grievances against their superior officers but pointed out that the military authorities should ensure good working conditions for the officers in battle field.
“It is not easy fighting in a battle field against terrorists because the soldiers go through a lot of challenges fighting for the security of the nation, so it is wise that every soldier who is in s battle line gets his salary and other motivations to encourage them.”
He continued, “These officers have young families and aged parents who depend on them for sustenance and when their salaries are delayed are delayed or stopped, it creates problem for them”
He appealed to the federal government to intervene in the matter to save the young soldier from execution while also calling for a thorough investigation into military budget as it relates to soldiers’ welfare.
