Five terrorists bag 25-year jail terms, forfeit vehicle, 15 rifles to FG

Five terrorists put on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of the State Service, DSS, have been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment each for their complicity in attacks in Niger and Kwara states.

They include Niger Republic nationals and their three Nigerian counterparts, who are based in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The convicted terrorists are Yusuf Mohammed (Aka Bature), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (Aka Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tukur (Aka Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim and Musa Alhaji Adamu (Aka Gado Banufe).

Justice Binta Nyako ordered their imprisonment on Thursday when they were arraigned on four-count terrorism charge, to which they pleaded guilty to.

In count one and two, which bordered on conspiracy and rendering services to Boko Haram members in Borgu LGA of Niger State, the hudge slammed 25 years each on them.

In count three, in which they pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms, Justice Nyako sentenced them to seven years each.

Similarly, in count four where they admitted concealing information on the activities of the Boko Haram members in a forest in Borgu LGA of Niger State, the convicts bagged 25 years imprisonment each.

Aside their imprisonment, Justice Nyako ordered that the Golf car they used to convey 15 AK-103 rifles from Niger Republic to Nigeria be forfeited to the Federal Government along with the firearms.

The charges against them bordered on rendering assistance to a terrorist by agreeing to convey rifles, being found with arms and ammunition while concealed, illegal possession and dealing with firearms and concealment.

Following their admission of guit, the prosecution counsel prayed that the defendants be convicted as charged and also sought the court’s permission to tender from the bar the forwarding letter which contained the investigation report as well as the statements of the defendants.

The defence counsel had no objection to the application.  

The exhibits were subsequently admitted against them and marked as A, 1-5.

Also, 15 units of AK-103 rifles complete with its magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were tendered  with no objection from the defence counsel.

They were admitted and marked as B, 1-14 and the ammunition marked as C series.

The court thereafter sentenced the five convicts, with Justice Nyako ordering that they should serve their jail term in a place designated by the Minister of Interior.

The charge against the convicts read:

COUNT 1

That you, Yusuf Muhammad (a.k.a. Bature), adult, male, thirty-three (33) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State, Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutua), adult, male, twenty-three (23) years old of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), adult, male, twenty five 25) years old of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Mubarak Ibrahim, adult, male twenty eight (28) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA of Niger State, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a Gado Banufe) between 237 and 24″ April, 2026 did commit an offence, to wit: jointly conspired to render assistance to a terrorist by agreeing and intentionally playing various roles towards conveying fifteen (15) AK 103 rifles as well as about one thousand, four hundred and thirty-four (1,434) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from Diffa region, Republic of Niger to one Malam Ahmad, a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu LGA of Niger State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT 2

That you, Yusuf Muhammad (a.k.a. Bature), adult, male, thirty-three (33) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State, Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutua), adult, male, twenty-three (23) years old of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), adult, male, twenty five 25) years old of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Mubarak Ibrahim, adult, male twenty eight (28) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA of Niger State, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a Gado Banufe) between 237 ne 24 Arrl 8 se won on eff ae) oe weer ndered Support for commission of act of terrorism to a terrorist by agreeing and conveying fifteen (15) AK 103 rifles as weil as about one thousand, four hundred and thirty-four (1,434) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from Diffa region, Republic of Niger on behalf of one Malam Ahmad, a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu LGA of Niger State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT 3

That you, Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutuwa), adult, male, twentythree (23) years old of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger,Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), adult, male, twenty five (25 years old of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a Gado Banufe), sometime between 23″ and 24″ April, 2026 at Kwangila area, along Kano-Kaduna express, Zaria; within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: you had in your possession fifteen (15) AK 103 rifles and about one thousand, four hundred and thirty-four (1,434) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition carefully concealed in sacks containing dried fish loaded in a blue Volkswagen (golf 3) car with Republic of Niger registered plate number BT 9990 DA. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) (i), and (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28 LFN,  2004.

COUNT 4

That you, Yusuf Muhammad (a.K.a, Bature), adult, male, thirty-three (33) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State, sometimes between February 2025 and April, 2026 did commit an offence, to wit: you had information which you know or believed to be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of Malam Ahmad, a known terrorist hibernating in Gandu forest, Borgu LGA of Niger State, and you failed to disclose such information to law enforcement or security officers. You thereby committed an offence in contravention of Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.