The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of late bandit leader Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo to 40 years imprisonment each after finding them guilty of offences linked to terrorism.
The convicts, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, were convicted on Friday by Justice Hauwa Yilwa for aiding the activities of the late bandit kingpin and concealing information that could have assisted security agencies in apprehending him.
The court found that the two women maintained telephone communication with Battujo and passed information to him, actions that supported his terrorist activities and violated provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Yilwa also held that the defendants failed to report critical information about Battujo’s activities to law enforcement authorities despite having knowledge that could have led to his arrest. Evidence presented before the court showed that both women had visited the bandit leader’s forest camp, where they saw him armed with firearms, yet failed to alert security agencies.
The convictions followed their guilty pleas to counts two, four and five of a five-count terrorism-related charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
However, the court discharged and acquitted the defendants on counts one and three, which alleged that they received ₦490,300 from Battujo while knowing the funds were proceeds of terrorism.
They were also cleared of allegations relating to sponsorship for the Hajj pilgrimage. Prosecutors had argued that the women ought to have known that the money used for the pilgrimage originated from terrorist activities, an offence under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), requested the court to strike out the two counts relating to terrorism financing and pilgrimage sponsorship while urging the court to convict the defendants on the remaining charges.
According to the charges, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, both residents of Dungun Mu’aza in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, were accused of aiding Battujo by passing information to him through telephone conversations despite knowing he was a notorious bandit leader.
The prosecution further stated that Safiya concealed information about Battujo’s activities after visiting his camp and seeing him in possession of firearms, while Halima similarly failed to disclose information that could have materially assisted security agencies in tracking and arresting him.
Battujo, one of the country’s most notorious bandit leaders, was killed by security operatives on June 10, 2026, during an operation in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. His death was widely seen as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat banditry and terrorism in parts of northern Nigeria.
Court Jails Mother, Sister of Late Bandit Leader Battujo 40 Years Each for Aiding Terrorism
