About 54 Nigerian soldiers, who were convicted for mutiny and sentenced to death for refusing to fight Boko Haram terrorists because of alleged lack of better equipment have regained their freedom.
The soldiers were, however, released on Tuesday from the Medium-Security Custodian Centre, Kirikiri, Apapa Maximum Prison and Ikoyi Correctional Centre. They were then taken to the chambers of human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, in Ikeja, Lagos State.
A Nigerian General Court Martial (GCM) in December 2014 been found guilty of mutiny after being accused of refusing to help recapture three towns that had been seized by Boko Haram in August 2014.
Five of the soldiers were acquitted.
They were sentenced to death initially but their sentences were later reduced to 10 years imprisonment each.
The soldiers had refused to proceed to their areas of deployment, complaining that they are not being given enough weapons and ammunition to fight Boko Haram.
Falana, who represented the soldiers at the military General Court Martial, had argued that “the only allegation proved against them at the courts-martial was that they protested the refusal of the military authorities to provide weapons to fight insurgency.”
He added, “Unlike many soldiers who deserted the army, the convicts were ready to defend the territorial integrity of the country. They only made a legitimate demand for equipment to fight the insurgents who were better equipped and motivated.
“The second batch of convicts actually fought and defeated the Boko Haram troops at Delwa in Borno State when weapons were eventually made available to them.
“But for having the temerity to demand weapons they were convicted and sentenced to death.”
But almost seven years after their sentencing, Boko Haram is still as resilience as ever, posing enormous security, humanitarian and governance challenges.
Since 2011, Boko Haram has conducted terrorist attacks on religious and political groups, local police, and the military, as well as attacking civilians in villages and public spaces, particularly in the northeast.
However, the death of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, after being attacked by a deadlier faction, the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) raised concerns over the fight against insurgency in the country.
