Court Jails 19 For Terrorism, Illegal Arms Possession, Vandalism In Kebbi
By Khadijat Saidu,
Birnin Kebbi
The Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi has convicted and sentenced 19 persons for terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and vandalism of critical national infrastructure.
The judgment, delivered by Hon. Justice Emmanuel Gakko, followed 17 months of investigation and prosecution by the Kebbi State Police Command.
Justice Gakko sentenced two terrorism kingpins, Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi, to 15 years imprisonment on each of three counts of terrorism, providing logistics to an armed terrorist group and conspiracy to commit terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The convicts were intercepted along Yauri Road while driving a vehicle specially acquired to convey kidnap victims to their forest hideout. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government as instruments and proceeds of terrorism.
The court also convicted 11 persons for unlawful possession of firearms, with 11 assorted firearms recovered, including locally fabricated pistols and dane guns.
A Chinese national, Mr. Ripin Liu, who was arrested with a locally made Beretta pistol, was sentenced to six years imprisonment with an option of fine.
Mohammed Bello Ibrahim (alias Banki) bagged four years imprisonment without option of fine, while Abubakar Siddi, Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula, Abubakar Usman and Buba Alhaji Umaru were each sentenced to three years imprisonment without option of fine.
Buba Alhaji Umaru was arrested in Bagudo LGA after crossing from a neighbouring country with a locally fabricated pistol.
John Zweme was sentenced to two years and six months with an option of fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma bagged two years imprisonment each with an option of fine.
Similarly, six persons – Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu – were convicted for vandalising and stealing electric cables in Sakaba LGA, an act that plunged communities into darkness. They were sentenced to various terms ranging from three to eight years imprisonment.
Reacting to the judgment, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar M. Hadejia, said the convictions send a clear message that crime does not pay.
He said the 17-month journey from arrest to conviction reflects the Command’s determination to see every prosecution through to its logical conclusion.
He commended the trial judge, the investigative team and the prosecuting counsel for their diligence and resilience.
The CP warned that the Command would sustain operations against terrorism, illegal arms proliferation and economic sabotage, and urged residents to report suspicious movements.