Lance Corporal Hillary Joel sentenced to death for killing Boko Haram suspect
- The army general court martial in Borno state passes a death sentence on Lance Corporal Hillary Joel for killing a Boko Haram suspect
- Hillary Joel reportedly set the suspect ablaze during a cordon and search operation leading to his death
- Other soldiers who faced the court martial with him got different sanctions
A soldier, Lance Corporal Hillary Joel, has been sentenced to death by the Nigerian Army for killing a suspected Boko Haram terrorist.
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The sentence was delivered by the General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Borno state during the trial of 5 soldiers accused on violation of human rights and other operational offences in Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
Lance Corporal Hillary Joel was reported to have set the suspect ablaze during a cordon and search operation by the army in Damboa local government area of Borno state, Vanguard reports.
The suspect was said to have died following the incident.
Other soldiers who faced the court martial with him were handed different sanctions, including jail terms and demotions.
According to a statement on Friday, June 9, by the deputy director army public relations 7 division, Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Samuel, the judgements were announced by the president of the court , Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi.
Highlighting the conclusion of the court on the cases of the 5 soldiers, the statement read: "The court sentenced of reduction in rank to Private in 2 count charges for Sergaent Samuel Balanga who is convicted for desertion and miscellaneous offences.
"Similarly, the court sentenced Private Chima Samuel who was convicted for aiding and abetting murder of a minor Yakubu Isah in Maiduguri to 15 years imprisonment. Lance Corporal Hilary Joel who was convicted for murder of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist in Damboa was sentenced to death. Also Corporal Aliu Audu who was charged for assault was reduced to the rank of Private.
"Trooper Sunday Ogwuche who was convicted for stealing and unlawful possession of 641 rounds of 7.62mm Special was sentenced to 2 years and 5 years imprisonment."
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The representative of the National Human Rights Commission present in court, Barrister Jumai Usman Mshelia, commended the Nigerian Army for the transparency in the trial of the a accused soldiers.
Barrister Mshelia who is the commission acting zonal coordinator in Borno state expressed delight that the Nigerian Army has shown that it is a discipline organisation and airing personnel are tried for wrong doing.
She said she was happy that justice had been served.
Meanwhile, two children have been confirmed dead and three others injured following a bomb explosion in Fadaman Rake area of Hong local government in Adamawa state.
Legit.ng learnt that the incident occurred at about 7pm local time on Thursday, June 8, while residents were about to break their Ramadan fast.
The explosion reportedly forced hundreds of residents of the area to flee their homes.
A local vigilante said the bomb was delivered in a polythene bag to some children who were playing by a yet to be identified driver in a starlet.
The blast in Adamawa comes a day after coordinated by Boko Haram on Maiduguri caused over a dozen deaths.
The police said the jihadists killed 14 people in the capital of Borno state.
The fighters had attacked the city's suburbs on Wednesday night with anti-aircraft guns, said Damian Chukwu, police commissioner of Borno state.
In the video below, Nigerian Air Force gives an update on operations against Boko Haram in 2017.
Source: Legit.ng
