A court in Katsina has sentenced a woman to death by hanging for terrorism-related crimes. She was found guilty of transporting 438 rounds of ammunition meant for a suspected bandit commander in North-west Nigeria.
Hauwa’u Mukhtar faced trial in Suit No. KTH/65C/2023 at High Court No. 3, Katsina, under Justice A.B. Bawale.
The court convicted her on two charges: conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding terrorist activities.
Justice Bawale stated that the prosecution proved its case clearly through witness testimonies and evidence presented during the trial. The death sentence followed the rules of the Katsina State Penal Code Law of 2021.
Arrest and prosecution
Ms Mukhtar was arrested by State Security Service (SSS) officers on 16 September 2023 at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State.
Prosecutors claimed she was caught while transporting 438 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. This type of ammunition is often used in AK-47 rifles and similar weapons. It was allegedly meant for a suspected bandit commander named Ado, who operates in the Dunburum forest area of nearby Zamfara State.
After her arrest, the SSS charged her with terrorism-related offences.
Court’s findings
In his judgement on Tuesday, Justice Bawale said the evidence showed the defendant was involved in providing support to armed groups linked to violent attacks in the area.
The judge pointed out that her actions posed a serious threat to national security and upheld the charges against her.
After finding her guilty on both counts, the court sentenced Ms Mukhtar to death by hanging. The defence's response to the judgement and whether they will appeal was not confirmed immediately.
Why the case matters
This conviction comes as security agencies work harder to break down the supply chains that support banditry and terrorism in North-west Nigeria.
While security operations mainly focus on armed fighters, authorities are also going after people accused of providing weapons, ammunition, logistics, and intelligence to these criminal groups.
Security experts say that breaking these supply chains is vital to weakening the armed groups responsible for kidnappings, killings, and attacks on rural communities in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and nearby states.
The judgement shows the growing efforts by security agencies and prosecutors to target not just armed bandits but also those accused of aiding their activities.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇