Five terrorists have been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment each by the Federal High Court in Abuja for their roles in supporting Boko Haram activities in Niger and Kwara states. The sentencing, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on Thursday, followed a guilty plea by the defendants on four counts of terrorism-related offences. The convicts, comprising two Niger Republic nationals and three Nigerians based in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, were found guilty of conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, and concealing information about terrorist activities.
The accused are identified as Yusuf Mohammed (also known as Bature), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (also known as Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tukur (also known as Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (also known as Gado Banufe). They were arraigned on charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, CAP F28 LFN, 2004. The court found them guilty of conspiring to transport 15 AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from Diffa region in Niger Republic to Malam Ahmad, a known Boko Haram member operating in Borgu LGA.
In addition to the 25-year sentence for conspiracy and supporting terrorism, the convicts were also sentenced to seven years each for unlawful possession of firearms. The court also handed down a 25-year sentence for concealing information about terrorist activities in Gandu forest, Borgu LGA. Justice Nyako ordered that the blue Volkswagen Golf car used in the operation, along with all the seized firearms and ammunition, be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The prosecution presented evidence including investigation reports, statements from the defendants, and physical exhibits. The defence counsel did not object to the admission of these exhibits, which were marked as A, 1-5, B, 1-14, and C series. The court accepted the guilty pleas and proceeded to deliver the verdict. The convicts will serve their sentences in a facility designated by the Minister of Interior.
The charges stemmed from activities between April 23 and 24, 2026, when the group was intercepted along the Kano-Kaduna Expressway near Zaria. The weapons were concealed in sacks of dried fish inside the vehicle. The court emphasized the seriousness of terrorism-related offences and the need for strict enforcement of national security laws. This conviction underscores Nigeria’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and securing its borders. The case highlights ongoing challenges in combating cross-border terrorism and the importance of intelligence sharing among security agencies.
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