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| Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Azubike Ihejirika |
Brig.-Gen. Muraina Raji was the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, when the two detainees reportedly escaped from the Brigade’s detention facility.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the escapees were members of the sect arrested over an attack on Bauchi town late 2010.
The General Officer Commanding, 3 Armoured Division, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Idoko, told NAN that a military investigation report had indicted the former Brigade Commander of complicity in the suspects’ escape.
Idoko said, “It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the part of their subordinates.
“When there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken by commanders to forestall a future occurrence.”
The GOC explained that the constitutional role of the military required the highest standards of discipline and professionalism, stressing that discipline and loyalty were essential requirements for success in professional soldiering.
Idoko added that appropriate disciplinary actions were necessary in the Nigerian Army so that the institution would continue to play its constitutional role and sustain its place as the pride of the nation.
He expressed regrets that he was convening the third court martial within a year of his assumption of duty as the GOC of the Division.
“However, if this Division has been witnessing one court martial after the other, it is because I want to sustain the high level of professionalism required to confront the mounting security challenges in our areas of operation,” he said.
The GOC noted that the existing court in the Division’s headquarters lacked jurisdiction to try Raji by virtue of his rank thus necessitating the inauguration of another court.
Idoko implored the court to ensure that no effort was spared to achieve justice for the accused, the Army and the state, adding that fairness and impartiality should be upheld in the proceedings and the dispensation of justice.
When Raji was arraigned before the court, he objected to the membership of the “Waiting Member,” Brig.-Gen Agbo Robinson, his successor as the Commander of the Brigade.
“He took over the Brigade after me and, in the circumstances of the case, it will be prejudicial for him to be on the panel. Besides, all those appointed to testify against me are from his Command,” he complained.
Raji also objected to the membership of the Judge Advocate, Lt. Col. Bernard Okorie, whom he said participated in filing the case against him.
“His position will make it difficult for him to do his job as freely as he should,’’ he said.
The court later adjourned to consult over Raji’s objection. Raji’s arraignment came barely 24 hours after the police in Maiduguri, Borno State, shot dead a suspected member of Boko Haram who had attempted to force his way into the command’s headquarters with a car laden with explosives.
The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Simeon Medinba, said investigating officers had traced the ownership of the car used by the killed bomber to Abuja where it was registered.
Meanwhile, policemen trooped into the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Tuesday morning searching vehicles, especially taxis.
The development, which led to serious traffic snarls within the city, was perhaps a reaction to Monday’s incident in Maiduguri. But the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, described the operation as a routine one.
“Our men are everywhere conducting stop and search of vehicles. It is a routine operation meant to enhance security, we are not doing it because we got any intelligence report of bomb plots. It is a normal security operation and we urge members of the public, particularly vehicle owners, to cooperate to make the FCT a safe place,” he said.
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