MUTINY-Soldiers placed on half salaries

Indications have emerged that the 97 soldiers including four (4) Lieutenant Colonels, a Major and four (4) Army Captains who are currently facing trial at a General Court Martial at the AHQ Garrison headquarters at the Mogadishu Cantonment, have been placed on half salaries. It was gathered that the decision of the Army High Command to put the soldiers on half salary which is in tandem with the terms and conditions (TACOS) of military statutes, will be in place until the trial of the soldiers whose tenure is unknown, ends. Asked to comment on the development, a senior officer said it was not a punitive action noting that whenever the trial ends and decisions taken, those who are freed will revert to collecting their full salaries. Already, 59 of the soldiers were arraigned on Wednesday specifically for Mutiny and Conspiracy to Mutiny having allegedly refused orders by the Commanding officer of the 111 Special Forces Battalion, to advance in an operation to recapture Delwa in Borno State from Boko Haram terrorists. Recall that the soldiers who are divided into two groups, are facing several charges related to Mutiny, Conspiracy to Mutiny, Assault; Absence without leave (AWOL); House breaking, Conduct prejudicial to good orders, and Service discipline as well as offences relating to Service property among others.