By Deborah Nnamdi
Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women convicted of terrorism-related offences to 40 years imprisonment following their arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The convicts, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, are the mother and sister of suspected terrorist kingpin, Ibrahim Battujo, who was killed by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, during an operation in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The court handed down the sentences after both women pleaded guilty to counts two, four, and five of a five-count charge filed against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
They were, however, discharged on counts one and three after the Director of Public Prosecution, Oyedepo Rotimi (SAN), requested that the charges be struck out. The counts related to allegedly receiving ₦490,300, believed to be proceeds of terrorism, and undertaking a sponsored pilgrimage funded with such proceeds.
According to the charge, the women aided and abetted the activities of Battujo by relaying information to him through telephone conversations, an offence punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Safiya was also convicted for concealing information about her son’s terrorist activities, while Halima was found guilty of withholding information regarding her brother’s illegal possession of firearms, which she reportedly observed during a visit to his forest hideout.
Justice Yilwa sentenced each of the convicts to 20 years imprisonment on the respective counts to which they pleaded guilty. The court, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning they will serve a total of 20 years each.
The judge further directed that both women undergo rehabilitation after completing their prison terms.
