The Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi has convicted 19 persons for terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and vandalism of electricity cables following 17 months of investigation and prosecution by the Kebbi State Police Command.
The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Gakko, sentenced two men identified as Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi to 15 years’ imprisonment on each of three terrorism-related counts.
The police said the duo were arrested along Yauri Road in a vehicle allegedly acquired to transport kidnap victims to a forest hideout.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government.
In a separate case, 11 persons were convicted of unlawful possession of firearms, with the police reporting the recovery of 11 weapons, including locally made pistols and dane guns.
Among them was a Chinese national, Ripin Liu, who received a six-year jail term with an option of a fine for possessing a locally made Beretta pistol.
Mohammed Bello Ibrahim, also known as Banki, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine, while Abubakar Siddi received three years without the option of a fine.
Five others — Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula, Abubakar Usman and Buba Alhaji Umaru — were each sentenced to three years in prison without an option of a fine.
The police said Umaru was arrested in Bagudo Local Government Area after crossing from a neighbouring country with a locally fabricated pistol.
John Zweme received two years and six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma were each sentenced to two years, with an option of a fine.
The command also secured the conviction of six men for vandalising and stealing electricity cables in Sakaba Local Government Area, an offence the police said disrupted power supply to affected communities.
The convicts — Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu — received prison terms ranging from three to eight years.
Reacting to the judgments, the Commissioner of Police, Umar M. Hadejia, said the convictions reflected the command’s commitment to ensuring that criminal cases were pursued to their conclusion.
He commended the trial judge, investigators and prosecuting counsel, while warning that operations against terrorism, illegal firearms and economic sabotage would continue.
Hadejia urged residents to report suspicious movements and activities to the police, assuring them that credible information would be acted upon.
The statement was signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, on October 14, 2026.