A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar, a female arms courier, to death by hanging for conspiracy to commit, aid, and abet terrorism, marking a significant legal victory in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. The conviction, delivered by Justice A. B. Bawale of High Court No. 3, follows a rigorous prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS), which secured the case after Mukhtar was arrested on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State. She was caught attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition destined for Ado, a notorious bandit kingpin operating in the Dunburum Forest area of Zamfara State.
The court reviewed extensive evidence, including witness testimonies, physical exhibits, and final arguments from both prosecution and defense. The judge concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to Mukhtar’s conviction on both charges. The sentence was handed down under the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021, which prescribes capital punishment for serious terrorism-related offenses. This marks the second death sentence secured by the DSS in June, underscoring the agency’s growing effectiveness in dismantling terrorist networks.
The judgment follows another major terrorism conviction in Abuja on June 3, where four men were sentenced to death for their role in the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. That attack killed over 40 people and shocked the nation. The DSS’s successful prosecution of these cases has been hailed as a major achievement, demonstrating its ability to intercept criminal activity and bring perpetrators to justice through the legal system.
A security source described the latest conviction as a “significant milestone,” highlighting the DSS’s capacity to not only detect and arrest suspects but also to pursue and win high-stakes prosecutions. The source emphasized that such outcomes send a strong message to would-be terrorists and criminal elements across the country. Additionally, just a month prior, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Halima Haliru Umar to 20 years in prison for unlawfully possessing 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to support terrorism.
These convictions reflect a sustained effort by Nigerian security agencies to combat terrorism and armed banditry, particularly in the Northwest and Southwest regions. As the government continues to strengthen its counter-terrorism strategies, these legal outcomes serve as both deterrents and reassurances to the public. The sentencing of Hauwa’u Mukhtar reinforces the message that no one is above the law, regardless of gender or role in criminal networks, and signals a firm commitment to national security.
Leave a Comment