Nigerian general jailed for losing battle to Boko Haram
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A court-martial has dismissed from the army and jailed a Nigerian general who lost a battle to Boko Haram Islamic extremists who killed hundreds of civilians.
The military Saturday said Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome Kuti — a nephew of music legend Fela Ransome-Kuti — was sentenced to six months in jail for losing weapons to Boko Haram.
Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said Ransome-Kuti was found guilty of "failure to perform military duties."
The civilian deaths at the Jan. 2 battle for Baga, headquarters for a multinational force against Boko Haram, were not part of the case.
Lawyer Femi Falana said the military is discriminating since it has dismissed other courts-martial. Soldiers' death sentences for offenses including running away from battle have been reprieved.
Chadian troops regained Baga in March.
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