A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women — identified as Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi to 40 years’ imprisonment for their involvement in terrorism-related activities linked to a notorious bandit kingpin.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Hauwa Yilwa after the accused persons, who were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), pleaded guilty to counts two, four and five of a five-count terrorism charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The convicts are said to be the mother and sister of a suspected terrorist kingpin, Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, who was reportedly neutralized by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Authorities described Battujo as a high-profile bandit leader operating in parts of northern Nigeria before his death.
According to court documents, the women were found guilty of aiding and abetting terrorist activities by passing information to Battujo through telephone communications.
They were also accused of receiving and concealing proceeds of terrorism, including funds allegedly linked to criminal activities.
One of the charges stated that the defendants knowingly received ₦490,300 believed to be proceeds of terrorism and later used part of the funds for personal purposes, including sponsorship of a pilgrimage.
Another charge revealed that Halima Abdullahi allegedly concealed information about illegal firearms kept by her brother after visiting his forest camp.
While both defendants pleaded guilty to multiple counts, they were discharged on counts one and three after the prosecution applied for their withdrawal.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to strike out those counts but proceed with conviction on the remaining charges.
Justice Yilwa held that each of the offences carries a 20-year jail term but ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in a total of 40 years imprisonment for each convict.
The court also ordered that the convicts undergo rehabilitation after serving their sentences.
The offences were said to be contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalises aiding, abetting, and supporting terrorist activities.
The court ruled that the prosecution had successfully established that the convicts knowingly supported and concealed terrorist operations linked to their family member.
The case forms part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to dismantle terror networks and prosecute individuals providing logistical or financial support to armed groups across the country.
Authorities have intensified operations targeting bandit leaders and their support networks in recent months.
The judgment is expected to serve as a deterrent against collaboration with terrorist organisations and criminal gangs operating in various parts of Nigeria.
