Key Points:
- A court martial in Jos gives a death sentence. The case follows the killing of a Keke rider.
- The soldier lured the man to his home. He hit him, then strangled him, and dumped him.
- Investigators found thirty-four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. The court also heard of a sold tricycle.
A soldier has received a death sentence in Jos. He killed a tricycle rider in Bauchi State. The panel said his act was cold and cruel. This ruling came on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The General Court Martial sat at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment. Brigadier General Liafis Bello led the five-man panel. They found Private Lukman Musa guilty on all counts. He will die by hanging under the Penal Code.
Courts have handled other crime cases across Nigeria this week. Read our EFCC Benin convictions report for related court action.
How the Bauchi killing happened
Evidence showed Musa planned the act with one Oba. They called the rider to his rented home. He said he needed help to move his things. Inside, he struck Isa with a wooden object. He then pressed his neck until the man died.
Later on, he stuffed the body in a sack. He dumped it between Shira and Yala villages. After that, the tricycle was moved and sold. The court traced the sale during its long probe.
Counts included murder and culpable homicide under relevant laws. Unlawful possession of ammunition formed the third count Meanwhile, attention also turned to the unknown accomplice named Oba.
Court ruling and legal grounds
Musa also held thirty-four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. He lacked lawful cover to hold the rounds. That count stood firm with the murder count. Together, they sealed a grim result for him.
Gen. Bello called the act “barbaric and heartless.” He said the soldier broke trust with all citizens. In his words, “you changed from guard to killer.” He said such acts shame the Nigerian Army today.
The panel relied on Sections 220 and 221. Those parts of the Penal Code cover murder consequences. The sentence is death by hanging, pending due confirmation. Military authorities will review the record before final steps.
Police probes also rise in other states this month. Catch the forensic probe into Akingboye death for clear context.
