The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, the mother and sister respectively of eliminated terrorist kingpin Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, to a combined 40 years in prison for their roles in supporting terrorism activities.

Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa handed down the sentences after the two women pleaded guilty to three terrorism-related charges brought against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Battujo, a notorious bandit kingpin, was neutralized by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The women were convicted on:

• Count 2: Aiding and abetting Battujo’s terrorist activities by passing information to him through telephone conversations, contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
• Count 4 (Halima Abdullahi): Concealing information about her brother’s illegal possession of firearms after visiting his forest camp.
• Count 5 (Safiya Salihu): Concealing information regarding her son’s terrorism activities.

Each count carries a 20-year jail term. Justice Yilwa ordered the sentences to run concurrently. The convicts will undergo rehabilitation after serving their terms.

They were discharged and acquitted on Counts 1 and 3, which involved receiving N490,300 and sponsorship for Hajj pilgrimage from proceeds of terrorism. The Director of Public Prosecution, Oyedepo Rotimi, SAN, had urged the court to strike out those counts.

The women, both from Dungun Mu’aza Sabuwa LGA in Katsina State, were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

This conviction underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to dismantle terror networks by targeting not only operatives in the field but also their family members who provide material support or withhold critical intelligence.

as Kidnappers Demand Release of Gang Membersetired Major General Rabe Abubakar has died while in captivity after being abducted by kidnappers, the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security has announced.

The retired senior officer passed away from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while being held alongside his wife, Amina Abubakar.

The couple was kidnapped within Matazu Local Government Area while travelling to Katsina.

A video recently circulated online showed the retired army general nursing a wound on his left foot during his time in captivity.

Reports indicate that the mastermind of the abduction demanded the release of three members of his gang, as well as some cattle, as conditions for freeing the couple.

The tragic development comes amid ongoing security challenges in parts of the North-West region.

Suspected bandits have killed 19 people and injured 12 others in a fresh attack on Gora Namaye district in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to Bello Hussaini, the councilor representing the Faru/Magami ward, the attackers stormed the community on motorcycles in large numbers and opened sporadic fire on residents, mostly farmers.

Hussaini said the bandits initially killed 18 people during the assault. One of the injured victims later succumbed to injuries, bringing the death toll to 19.

Efforts to get confirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.