Bandit Kingpin’s Mother, Sister Sentenced to 40 Years Each for Refusal to Report Son for Arrest

• A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of suspected bandit kingpin Battujo to 40 years imprisonment each for aiding terrorism.

Justice Hawa Joseph Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Halima Abdullahi, mother of suspected bandit kingpin Battujo, and his sister, Safiya Salihu, to 40 years imprisonment each over terrorism-related offences.

Halima Abdullahi was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for aiding and abetting the activities of Battujo by passing information to him through telephone conversations, contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

She received another 20 years imprisonment for concealing information about the activities of her son, information that could have assisted security agencies in securing his arrest.

Similarly, Safiya Salihu was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for aiding and abetting terrorism and another 20 years imprisonment for concealing information about Battujo’s activities.

Although each convict received a total sentence of 40 years, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently from the date of their arrest in February 2026, meaning both women will serve 20 years each.

The two convicts had initially faced five counts before the court.

The Charges

Count One
Halima Abdullahi and Safiya Salihu were accused of receiving ₦490,300 from Battujo, a known terrorist, funds they allegedly ought to have known were proceeds of terrorism. The offence was brought under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count Two
Halima Abdullahi and Safiya Salihu were accused of aiding and abetting the activities of Battujo by passing information to him through telephone conversations. The charge was brought under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count Three
The two women were accused of receiving sponsorship for a Hajj pilgrimage from Battujo using funds allegedly linked to terrorism. The charge was filed under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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Count Four
Safiya Salihu was accused of concealing information about Battujo’s activities after allegedly visiting his forest camp and seeing him in possession of firearms. Prosecutors said she failed to report information that could have assisted in his apprehension, contrary to Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count Five
Halima Abdullahi was accused of concealing information about the activities of Battujo, a suspected bandit kingpin, despite allegedly possessing information that could have helped security agencies arrest him. The charge was also brought under Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The two women pleaded guilty to the charges relating to aiding and abetting terrorism (Count Two) and concealing information (Counts Four and Five respectively).

However, they pleaded not guilty to Counts One and Three, as well as another related charge, after which the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), withdrew the counts. The court subsequently struck out the withdrawn charges.