John Godwin, a Lance Corporal in the Nigerian army has been sentenced to death by a General Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State for killing five civilians who were rescued from Boko Haram insurgents.

This was made known by Kingsley Samuel, a Lieutenant Colonel who is also the spokesman of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army.

“The civilians were earlier rescued by troops of Godwin’s battalion and were taken for investigation at the time he shot and killed five of them,” Samuel told newsmen on Friday.

“Another soldier, Sergeant Innocent Ototo, was sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter after torturing and killing a 13-year-old boy who he said stole his phone.

“The incident happened at Zamanbari area of Maiduguri in Borno State.”

Other soldiers punished by the court were Benjamin Osage, a Lance Corporal, and Sunday Onwe, a Private, who were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each for offences bordering on manslaughter and illegal possession of firearms.