Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of slain terrorist kingpin Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo to 40 years imprisonment for terrorism-related offences.
The two women, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following investigations into Battujo’s activities.
The notorious bandit leader 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 found both women guilty after they pleaded guilty to several counts contained in a five-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Justice Yilwa convicted them on charges relating to aiding and abetting terrorism as well as concealing information that could have assisted security agencies in apprehending the terrorist leader.
According to prosecutors, the women maintained communication with Battujo and passed information to him through telephone conversations despite knowing he was a wanted bandit kingpin.
The court heard that they also failed to report critical information about his activities, including his possession of firearms and operations from a forest camp.
However, the prosecution withdrew two other counts accusing the women of receiving N490,300 believed to be proceeds of terrorism and benefiting from a Hajj pilgrimage allegedly sponsored with funds linked to terrorist activities. The court consequently struck out those charges.
Justice Yilwa sentenced the pair to 20 years imprisonment on each of the counts for which they were convicted.
The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning both women will serve a maximum of 20 years in prison rather than 40 years consecutively.
The judge further ordered that they undergo rehabilitation after serving their prison terms.
The case marks one of the most high-profile convictions linked to the family members of a notorious terrorist figure and underscores the authorities’ determination to pursue not only armed leaders but also individuals accused of supporting or concealing terrorist activities.
Prosecutors argued that the convictions send a strong message that anyone who knowingly assists, shelters or protects individuals involved in terrorism will face the full weight of the law.
