Eight soldiers accused of desertion in Metele attack, dismissed by Nigerian army

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The eight soldiers absent during the headcount after the 157 Task Force Battalion suffered a vicious attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, have been dismissed.  The regimental inquiry set up to investigate the soldiers' AWOL and subsequent reappearance, were guided by when they left the battalion; reasons for leaving; when they rejoined the unit; days absent from the unit; what they were doing during the period of absence,  whereabouts of their rifles while absent; if they returned with their rifles to the unit; and whether the unit took action against them including apportioning of blame and recommending appropriate punishments when necessary. The five-member panel constituted by Acting Commanding Officer, 157 Task Force Battalion, Major UI Lezuya after the attack that led to the death of Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba, found the soldiers culpable and recommended their dismissal.  A military source who spoke to Punch, said the punishment was harsh as the soldiers gave reasons for their absence during the trial and should have been punished in other ways. “It was glaring that the soldiers are ready to continue to defend their fatherland with their remorseful manner during the trial. They should have been de-ranked, imprisoned or handed high labour. Their dismissal is too harsh. I urge the army authorities to look into the matter.’’The post Eight soldiers accused of desertion in Metele attack, dismissed by Nigerian army appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.