The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday said that its rating, Petty Officer Abubukar AJ, who is in detention since 29 November 2020 is facing currently being court martialled for alleged involvement in arms theft and sale.
Director of Naval Information, Commodore Suleiman Dahun, said in a statement that contrary to news report, the said Petty Officer is “hale and hearty and has been attending the ongoing court-martial.”
According to a statement by Commodore Dahun, “the attention of the Nigerian Navy has been drawn to a news story in the 1 January 2022 edition of the Vanguard newspaper over the detention of one Petty Officer Abubukar AJ since 29 November 2020.
“The news story claimed that the rating’s health has been deteriorating since his detention over an undisclosed offence and that his family has suffered untold hardship arising therefrom.
“The Nigerian Navy wishes to confirm that the rating is currently being court martialled for alleged involvement in arms theft and sale. Contrary to the impression created in the Vanguard news story, the rating is hale and hearty and has been attending the ongoing court-martial.
“Therefore, members of the public are enjoined to disregard the news story and the attempt to stir public sympathy/sentiments over this issue.
“It is to be noted that a court-martial is a routine military disciplinary process constituted by a competent authority to try personnel involved in acts of gross misconduct.”