Female Arms Courier Sentenced to Death for Supplying Ammunition to Bandits

• A Federal High Court in Katsina has sentenced a female arms courier to death by hanging after finding her guilty of terrorism-related offences, including supplying ammunition to suspected bandits.

A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a female arms courier, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after convicting her of terrorism-related offences.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had prosecuted Mukhtar on charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism as well as aiding and abetting terrorist activities.

According to security sources, the convict was arrested by DSS operatives on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while allegedly attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The ammunition was reportedly meant for one Ado, a suspected bandit kingpin operating in the Dunburum Forest area of Zamfara State.

The case was heard before High Court No. 3 in Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale.

After reviewing the evidence, witness testimonies, exhibits, and submissions from both the prosecution and defence, the court held that the charges had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge consequently found Mukhtar guilty on both counts and sentenced her to death by hanging in line with the provisions of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, 2021.

Security sources described the ruling as a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and banditry.

According to the sources, the judgment demonstrates the capacity of security agencies to intercept criminal networks and secure convictions through due process.

The conviction marks the second death sentence secured by the DSS in June.

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Earlier this month, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men to death by hanging over their involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed more than 40 lives.

About a month ago, another court in Abuja sentenced a female suspect, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and attempting to support acts of terrorism.

The latest conviction highlights continued efforts by security agencies and the judiciary to tackle arms trafficking and terrorism financing across the country.