Nigeria’s military has announced a reprieve for 66 soldiers who had been sentenced to death for refusing to fight Islamist militia group Boko Haram.
The soldiers who were sentenced to death by firing squad will now each serve 10 years in prison.
They had been convicted by court martial over their refusal to drive down a road at night after dozens of colleagues died in a Boko Haram ambush.
The sentenced were altered following a review of court martials.
The review was ordered by General Tukur Buratai, the country’s army chief of staff.
Around 600 other cases are also being considered.
Hundreds of Nigerian soldiers have deserted their posts, complaining that they are not properly equipped to fight Boko Haram, which has allied itself with the Islamic State group.
The militants have been waging an insurgency since 2009 and is seeking to create an Islamist state in north-eastern Nigeria.
The terror group has been responsible for the deaths of about 20,000 people.
