By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Kebbi State Police Command has secured the conviction of 19 persons, including a Chinese national, for terrorism-related offences, illegal possession of firearms and vandalism of critical national infrastructure following 17 months of investigation and prosecution.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the judgment was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Gakko of the Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi, bringing to a close a series of cases arising from intelligence-led operations conducted in Yauri, Bagudo, Sakaba and other security flashpoints across the state.
The convictions cover offences ranging from terrorism and providing logistics to armed groups to unlawful possession of firearms and the destruction of electricity infrastructure.
Two Terrorism Convicts Get 15 Years Each on Three Counts
Among the most significant cases were those involving two men identified as Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi, who were convicted on three counts relating to terrorism, providing logistics to an armed terrorist group and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
The offences were prosecuted under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Police said the two men were intercepted along Yauri Road while travelling in a vehicle allegedly acquired to transport kidnapped victims to a forest hideout.
The court sentenced each of them to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count.
It also ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government after they were established in court as instruments or proceeds of terrorism.
Chinese National Among Those Convicted for Illegal Arms Possession
In a separate set of cases, 11 persons were convicted for unlawful possession of firearms, with police reporting the recovery of 11 assorted weapons, including locally fabricated pistols, a locally made Beretta pistol and dane guns.
Among those convicted was a Chinese national, Mr. Ripin Liu, who was arrested in possession of a locally made Beretta pistol.
The court sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.
Mohammed Bello Ibrahim received four years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine, while Abubakar Siddi was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.
Others sentenced to three years’ imprisonment each without an option of a fine were Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula and Abubakar Usman.
Buba Alhaji Umaru, who was arrested in Bagudo Local Government Area after allegedly crossing from a neighbouring country with a locally fabricated pistol, was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Meanwhile, John Zweme received two years and six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.
Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.
Six Convicted for Vandalising Electricity Cables
The police also secured the conviction of six persons for vandalising and stealing electric cables in Sakaba Local Government Area.
The convicts, identified as Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu, were described by the Command as economic saboteurs.
According to the police statement, the court handed down various prison sentences ranging from three to eight years for their involvement in the offences.
The convictions form part of the Command’s efforts to tackle the destruction of critical infrastructure, which can disrupt electricity supply and impose additional costs on communities and government.
CP Hails Court, Investigators and Prosecutors
Reacting to the judgments, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, said the convictions demonstrated the consequences of criminal activities and underscored the importance of sustained investigations and diligent prosecution.
He noted that the 17-month process from arrest to conviction reflected the Command’s determination to pursue complex criminal cases to their logical conclusion.
Hadejia commended the trial judge for his conduct on the bench and praised the police investigators and prosecuting counsel for their diligence and resilience throughout the proceedings.
The commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying operations against terrorism, illegal arms proliferation and economic sabotage across Kebbi State.
He also urged residents to support security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities within their communities.
The police chief assured the public that credible information supplied to the Command would be acted upon decisively.
The Command said it would sustain its security operations and prosecution efforts as part of broader measures to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state.
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