Another slap on the face of the Nigerian Army as a convicted soldier escapes from custody in broad daylight.

On Friday, three officers of the Nigerian Army, two majors and a captain, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to ten years in prison. It is reported that after their sentencing, one of them, Major Oseni, fled without a trace.

This is yet another incident that undermines public confidence in the armed forces. Many will never believe that other officers did not help Major Oseni escape from custody.

SUNDAY PUNCH had reported that the General Court Martial in Abuja on Friday sentenced Majors Oseni, Ogbemudia Osawe and Second Lieutenant Nuhu Dogary to 10 years’ each imprisonment for torturing Lance Corporal Collins to death. With the escape of Major Oseni, the military has mounted a manhunt to try to arrest him and a signal has been sent from the armed forces headquarters to all military formations and units in the country.

The signal reads, “The GCM sitting at Army Headquarters Command Mess, Abuja, delivered a judgment on the case between the Nigerian Army versus Major A.A. Oseni, N/12127; Major O.U. Osawe, N/12004; Captain S.E. Amosu, N/13041; and Second Lieutenant N.B. Dogary, N/16390. The accused officers were charged with manslaughter, punishable under Section 105 of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.

“Findings: Captain Amosu, N/13041, was found not guilty and was discharged and acquitted, while Majors Oseni, Osawe and 2Lt Dogary were found guilty and awarded 10 years’ imprisonment.

“However, after the pronouncement of judgement, the accused officers marched out of the court premises with Captain K.S. Chime, and proceeded to Captain J.E Akwaraonwu’s office.

“Thereafter, Major Oseni took an excuse from Captain Chime to use the toilet. At about 7pm same day, Major Oseni was nowhere to be found. A thorough search was carried out within and outside the mess’ premises, but the accused was not found.

“Meanwhile, Major Osawe and 2 Lt Dogary are currently under the Special Investigations Bureau’s custody pending further action. The Army Headquarters Garrrison has mounted a manhunt for the convicted officer. The Nigeria Police and DSS have also been contacted.”