Nigerian Army condemns 54 soldiers to death by firing squad

A Nigerian Army court martial has sentenced 54 soldiers to death by firing squad while five have been discharged and acquitted.

The soldiers were accused of mutiny, assault, cowardice and refusing to fight

members of Boko Haram in the north eastern part of the country.

Their trial comes two weeks after 12 soldiers were sentenced to death by firing

squad for mutiny and attempted murder of their commanding officer in Maiduguri,

Borno State.

Their conviction brings to 66 the total number of soldiers sentence to death by

firing squad as part of disciplinary action by the Nigerian Army .

Their sentence is however subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior

authority.