A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of notorious bandit leader Ibrahim Battujo to 40 years imprisonment each for their roles in supporting his terrorist activities.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Hauwa Yilwa after both women, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, admitted to several terrorism-related offences brought against them by the Federal Government.
Battujo, a wanted terrorist commander, was killed by security operatives on June 10, 2026, after an operation linked to a failed attempt to abduct students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in Kogi State.
According to court records, the two women were found guilty of assisting the deceased bandit by maintaining communication with him and providing information through telephone contacts. Prosecutors argued that their actions aided his criminal operations.
Safiya was also convicted for withholding information about her son’s activities despite having visited his camp and allegedly seeing weapons in his possession. Halima, on the other hand, was found guilty of concealing information that could have helped authorities track and arrest the bandit leader.
The charges were filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Both defendants pleaded guilty to three counts relating to terrorism offences during the proceedings.
However, the court struck out two other counts after the Director of Public Prosecutions, Oyedepo Rotimi (SAN), requested their withdrawal. The dropped charges accused the women of receiving ₦490,300 allegedly linked to proceeds from terrorist activities.
Although each offence attracts a prison term of up to 20 years, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in a total jail term of 40 years for each convict.
Justice Yilwa further directed that the two women undergo rehabilitation programmes after serving their prison sentences.
The case is one of the latest efforts by authorities to hold individuals accountable for providing support networks to terrorist and bandit groups operating across the country.
