Fifty-four Nigerian Special Forces troops have been sentenced to death for cowardice and mutiny, after refusing to participate in a raid against Islamist organisation Boko Haram.
According to a court martial, the men had refused to recapture three towns in August, and although five soldiers were acquitted, fifty four are awaiting a death sentence to be confirmed by army chiefs.
The men, who belonged to 7 Division of the Nigerian army, had been accused of mutiny after refusing to lead an army raid on three areas in Borno state, in the northeast of the country.
Although it is not clear why the men refused to take part in the raid, Nigerian soldiers have previously complained that they lack both the ammunition and food deemed essential in their fight against Boko Haram.
However, Defence officials have refuted these claims, with President Goodluck Jonathan organising a $1bn dollar loan to upgrade the military earlier this year.
