Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced two women to 40 years’ imprisonment for their involvement in terrorism-related activities.
The convicts, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) and identified as the mother and sister of the late suspected terrorist kingpin, Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, who was neutralized by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, in a forest near Iluke, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Delivering judgment, Justice Yilwa convicted the women after they pleaded guilty to counts two, four, and five of the five-count charge filed against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
They were discharged on counts one and three, which alleged receipt of ₦490,300 as proceeds of terrorism and sponsorship of a pilgrimage with funds traced to terrorism. The Director of Public Prosecution, Oyedepo Rotimi, SAN, urged the court to strike out those counts while pressing for conviction on the remaining charges.
According to count two, both women aided and abetted the activities of Battujo by passing information to him via telephone conversations, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Safiya Salihu, Battujo’s mother, also pleaded guilty to count five, which involved concealing information about her son’s terrorist activities. Halima Abdullahi, his sister, admitted guilt on count four, which related to concealing knowledge of firearms illegally acquired by her brother, observed during visits to his forest camp.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Justice Yilwa ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in a total of 40 years’ imprisonment for the convicts. The court further directed that they undergo rehabilitation following the completion of their prison terms.
