A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of notorious bandit kingpin Battujo to 40 years imprisonment each after they admitted aiding his activities and withholding information that could have led to his arrest.
Justice Hawa Joseph Yilwa handed down the sentence on Friday after Halima Abdullahi, the mother of the suspected terrorist, and Safiya Salihu, his sister, pleaded guilty to charges bordering on aiding and abetting terrorism as well as concealing information from security agencies.
Halima Abdullahi, a resident of Dungun Mu’aza in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, admitted maintaining telephone contact with her son and passing information to him despite knowing his involvement in banditry and terrorism-related activities.
The court found her guilty of aiding and abetting terrorism under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and sentenced her to 20 years imprisonment.
She was also convicted for concealing information about Battujo’s activities, which authorities argued could have assisted security agencies in tracking and apprehending him. For that offence, she received another 20-year jail term under Section 16 of the Act.
Safiya Salihu, Battujo’s biological sister, was similarly convicted on the two counts after admitting guilt during the joint arraignment and was handed identical sentences.
However, following an appeal for leniency by their counsel, Dauda Hassan of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, who cited their ages and status as first-time offenders, Justice Yilwa ordered that the sentences run concurrently and take effect from the date of their arrest in February 2026.
As a result, both women will spend 20 years in prison rather than 40 years cumulatively.
During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, withdrew three additional charges after the defendants pleaded not guilty to them. The court subsequently struck out the charges.
The withdrawn counts included allegations that the two women received N490,300 believed to be proceeds of terrorism, accepted sponsorship from Battujo for a Hajj pilgrimage using funds linked to terrorism, and other related offences.
The judgment highlights the growing determination of authorities to target not only terrorist and bandit leaders but also individuals accused of providing support, shelter, communication links or protection that enable criminal networks to operate.
The case is one of the most high-profile convictions involving family members of a suspected bandit kingpin under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, underscoring the legal consequences of aiding terrorism or withholding information from security agencies.
