Bandit kingpin’s mother, sister jailed 40 years for aiding terrorism

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of slain terrorist kingpin, Ibrahim Battujo, to 40 years imprisonment each for aiding his terrorist activities.

 

Justice Hauwa Yilwa handed down the sentences on Friday after Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

 

Battujo was killed by security forces on June 10, 2026, after a failed attempt to abduct students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Kogi State.

 

The two women were convicted on three of the five counts against them, including aiding and abetting terrorism by passing information to Battujo through telephone conversations, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

 

Safiya was also found guilty of concealing information about her son’s activities after visiting his forest camp and seeing him in possession of firearms, while Halima was convicted for withholding information that could have led to his arrest.

 

The prosecution withdrew two other counts alleging that the women knowingly received ₦490,300 believed to be proceeds of terrorism, and the court subsequently discharged them on those charges.

 

Although each offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, the court ordered the prison terms to run concurrently.

 

Justice Yilwa also directed that both convicts undergo rehabilitation after serving their jail terms.