A Nigerian soldier, Private Lukman Musa, has been condemned to death by hanging after a military court found him guilty of killing a commercial tricycle rider in Bauchi State.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, September 18, 2025, by a General Court Martial convened at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos. Brigadier General Liafis Bello, who presided over the case, said Musa’s actions were “barbaric, heartless, and a disgrace to the Nigerian Army.”
Court records revealed that Musa lured his victim, Abdulrahman Isa, to his residence under the guise of helping him move personal belongings. Once Isa arrived, the soldier struck him on the head with a wooden object, strangled him, and stuffed his body in a sack. The corpse was later dumped between Shira and Yala villages, while Isa’s tricycle was sold off.
The court also established that Musa was unlawfully in possession of 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Gen. Bello ruled that Musa had “abandoned his duty as a defender of citizens and turned into their killer,” stressing that such conduct violated the Army’s values and constitutional mandate.
For culpable homicide, contrary to Section 220 of the Penal Code, Musa was handed the death sentence, while on the count of illegal possession of ammunition, he received two years’ imprisonment and dismissal from the Army with dishonor.
Reacting to the judgment, Major Aminu Mairuwa, Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division, said the verdict underscored the Army’s commitment to discipline, justice, and accountability.
“This ruling shows that the Nigerian Army will never tolerate indiscipline or allow any officer to operate outside the law,” Mairuwa said.
The case has drawn public attention as a stark reminder of how abuse of power by security operatives undermines public trust, with many describing the verdict as a strong message against impunity within the ranks.