Abuja court terrorism conviction sees five men jailed 25 years each for arms trafficking linked to Boko Haram activities in Niger border region
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, June 12, 2026, delivered a terrorism conviction Abuja court judgment, sentencing five men, including a Nigerien national, to 25 years’ imprisonment each over terrorism-related offences linked to arms trafficking activities.
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Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court handed down the sentences after the defendants pleaded guilty to a four-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), marking a decisive outcome in a terrorism-related prosecution.
The convicts were identified as Yusuf Mohammed (also known as Bature), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (also known as Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tulur (also known as Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (also known as Gado Banufe).
Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution presented key evidence, including a forwarding letter, investigation reports, and statements from the defendants, all of which were admitted by the court without objection from the defence.
The court also admitted as exhibits 15 AK 103 rifles, complete with magazines, alongside 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, strengthening the prosecution’s case in the terrorism conviction Abuja court proceedings.
Justice Nyako further ordered the forfeiture of a Volkswagen vehicle allegedly used in transporting arms and ammunition to the Federal Government, reinforcing the punitive measures in the case.
During sentencing, the court imposed 25-year prison terms on count one for all defendants, while additional sentences of seven years each were handed down on counts two and three for three of the accused persons.
On count four, only the first defendant received an additional 25-year sentence, with the judge ordering that all sentences run concurrently from the date of arrest.
The court also directed that the convicts serve their sentences in a facility designated by the Minister of Interior, while all recovered exhibits were forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to court records, the defendants were accused of conspiring between April 23 and April 24 to assist a terrorist network by transporting weapons and ammunition from the Diffa region of the Republic of Niger into Nigeria.
The prosecution alleged that the arms were destined for a Boko Haram-linked operative based in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The offences were said to be contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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The ruling underscores ongoing judicial efforts to curb cross-border arms trafficking and terrorist financing networks operating within Nigeria’s northern corridor.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
