In a bid to stem the wave of indiscipline and cowardice involving some of its officers and soldiers, the Nigerian Army has established three General Court Martials (GCM) in Abuja, Jos and Lagos to try those alleged to have committed various offences.
They include acts of mutiny in the on-going counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in the North East geopolitical zone.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig-Gen. Olajide Laleye, confirmed this on Wednesday at Army Headquarters in Abuja during a briefing on recent developments in the service.
Laleye said that the GCM was conducted within the bounds and confines of the law, especially the Armed Forces Act, which he noted has been tried and tested over time.
He debunked the allegations that tried and convicted officers were not given fair hearing, saying that the GCM decision is still subject to appeal and that competent lawyers like Femi Falana was involved in the whole procedure leading to the rulings.
The Army spokesman noted that acts of cowardice and indiscipline will not be tolerated in the Nigerian Army, adding: “The success or failure of the on-going counter terrorism operation was largely dependent on adherence to military virtues such as a high level of discipline, professionalism and patriotism”.
According to him, “it would be difficult for the Army to sustain its achievements and successes in the on-going operation without a deliberate step to position the service as a fighting force through the strict enforcement of the stipulations of the laws guiding the operations of the military”.
Laleye explained that GCM has helped to weed out cowards within their ranks and has made the service more of a professional fighting force which is seen in the recent gains made against the Boko Haram terrorists.
