Terrorism fight:Police secure conviction of 19 for terrorism, illegal arms, cable vandalism in Kebbi
The police disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, who said the convictions marked a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, illegal arms proliferation and economic sabotage.
According to the statement, two alleged terrorism kingpins, Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi, were convicted on three counts of terrorism, providing logistics to an armed terrorist group and conspiracy to commit terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The statement said, “the suspects were intercepted along Yauri Road while travelling in a vehicle allegedly acquired specifically to transport kidnapped victims to their forest hideout.
” The court sentenced both men to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count and ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government after establishing their links to the crimes,
“In a separate judgment, 11 persons were convicted for unlawful possession of firearms, with 11 assorted weapons recovered during the operations, including locally fabricated pistols, a locally made Beretta pistol and dane guns.
“Among those convicted was a Chinese national, identified as Mr Ripin Liu, who was arrested with a locally made Beretta pistol and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.
READ RELATED STORY
Shehu Buba takes action over terrorism, banditry claims
Nigeria, UK deepen counterterrorism partnership
IGP Disu promises professional police conduct during 2027 elections
Kwara police arrest four over opened graves, suspected human parts
“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’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.
“Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula, Abubakar Usman and Buba Alhaji Umaru were also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment each, while John Zweme received two years and six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine”
The remaining convicts according to the statement includes Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma, were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.
“The police further secured the conviction of six persons — Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu — for vandalising and stealing electric cables in Sakaba Local Government Area”
The command said the offence disrupted electricity supply to entire communities, describing the convicts as economic saboteurs. They were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from three to eight years.
Reacting to the judgments, the Commissioner of Police, Umar M. Hadejia, said the convictions demonstrated the consequences of criminal activities and the command’s determination to ensure that suspects faced justice.
“The convictions send an unmistakable message that crime does not pay,” Hadejia was quoted as saying.
He said the 17-month period between the arrests and convictions reflected the command’s commitment to pursuing complex cases to their logical conclusion rather than abandoning prosecutions.
The police commissioner commended Justice Gakko for his handling of the cases and praised the investigators and prosecuting counsel for their diligence and resilience.
Hadejia also vowed that the command would sustain its operations against terrorism, illegal arms proliferation and the destruction of critical infrastructure.
He urged residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities, assuring them that the police would act decisively on credible information.
“Every credible tip would be acted upon decisively,” the commissioner assured residents.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that those involved in criminal activities were brought to justice.
