Soldier Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Killing Keke Rider in Plateau

Private Lukman Musa, a soldier attached to the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos, Plateau State, has been sentenced to death by hanging following his conviction for the murder of a tricycle (Keke) rider, Abdulrahman Isa, in Azere town, Bauchi State.

A General Court Martial delivered the verdict convened at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, the court found Musa guilty on multiple charges, including murder, culpable homicide, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Musa, in collaboration with an accomplice known only as Oba, lured Isa to his residence under the guise of seeking assistance with moving personal items.

Once inside, Musa assaulted Isa with a wooden object and subsequently strangled him.

To conceal the crime, Musa placed the victim’s body in a sack and disposed of it between the villages of Shira and Yala. Isa’s tricycle was later sold.

Investigators also discovered that Musa was unlawfully in possession of 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

In his ruling, Brig. Gen. Bello condemned Musa’s actions as “barbaric and heartless,” emphasizing that the soldier’s conduct represented a profound breach of military ethics and a betrayal of the Army’s constitutional mandate to safeguard civilians.

“You mercilessly metamorphosed from a defender of citizens to a killer. Your action is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Nigerian Army,” Bello declared.

The individual was convicted of culpable homicide, in violation of Section 220 of the Penal Code, and received a sentence of death as prescribed under Section 221.

On a separate charge of unlawful possession of ammunition, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and discharged from the Nigerian Army in disgrace.

Commenting on the verdict, Major Aminu Mairuwa, Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division, affirmed that the judgment reflects the Army’s unwavering commitment to discipline, regimentation, and the fair administration of justice.

“This judgment signifies the Nigerian Army’s resolve to ensure that no personnel operate outside the law or laid down standard operating procedures,” Mairuwa noted.