Soldier Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Murder of Girlfriend

In a high-profile ruling that has gripped national attention, a General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the 82 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Enugu has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali.

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The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, April 11, 2024, within the military barracks in Enugu. The victim’s body, still clothed in a hijab, was discovered the following day—Friday, April 12—by the daughter of an army lieutenant near the officers’ quarters.

In a separate ruling, another soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for robbery-related charges.

The sentencing was officially announced on Monday, April 28, 2025, by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for 82 Division. According to him, the verdicts followed a thorough trial conducted by an 11-member panel, which was inaugurated by Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, the General Officer Commanding the Division, on February 18, 2025.

Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, who presided over the GCM, stated that Private Mohammed was convicted under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004, for the heinous crime. Despite a plea for leniency from the accused and his counsel, the court emphasized the need for justice, societal order, and accountability within the armed forces.

The court’s ruling has sparked renewed discussions on military discipline, gender-based violence, and justice reform in Nigeria.