Nigerian Troops Sentenced To Death For Mutiny

Twelve Nigerian soldiers have been sentenced to death by firing squad for mutiny in a part of the country battling extremists.

The soldiers were found guilty by a military tribunal in the country's capital of Abuja following the incident in the northeast city of Maiduguri in May.

According to the tribunal's head Major General Chukweuka Okonkwo, the soldiers were guilty of "obstructing the evacuation of their dead colleagues who were killed in an ambush on their way from an operation in Chibok, Borno State".

Islamic extremists Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok in April. The girls remain prisoners.

The 12 soldiers were also convicted of trying to kill the commanding officer of the army's Seventh Division, which is the main force fighting the militants.

According to a statement from the nine-member tribunal, the soldiers had shot at the official car of General Officer Commanding Major General Ahmed Mohammed between May 13 and 14.

Nigerian soldiers stand guard following a blast in Abuja earlier this year

They had reportedly "lost discipline", throwing stones at the officer as he arrived at Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, and shooting holes in his car. The officer was forced to dive for cover as they shot at him but he was not injured.

The soldiers were said to be angry at a lack of equipment and support after a convoy of their colleagues was ambushed by Boko Haram.

Court president Chukwuemeka Okonkwo said the sentences were subject to confirmation by Nigeria's military authorities but there was no doubt about the seriousness of the offence.

Five other soldiers were acquitted of the charges. They and the 12 found guilty had all denied the charges.

Nigeria's war against the Boko Haram began in 2009 and since then the anti-government militants have killed thousands of people, and recently declared much of the northeast to be "Islamic territory".

But a determined enemy is not the only obstacle facing Nigerian troops, with poor pay and lack of equipment also contributing to extremely low morale.

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