The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, mother and sister of eliminated terrorist kingpin Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, to 40 years in prison for terrorism-related offences.
Both women were arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, for their involvement with Battujo, who was killed by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, in a forest near Iluke, Kabba/Bunu LGA, Kogi State.
—Guilty plea, 20-year sentences run concurrently—
Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa handed down the sentences after the women pleaded guilty to Counts 2, 4 and 5 of the five-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Each count carries 20 years. Justice Yilwa ordered the sentences to run concurrently, after which the convicts will undergo rehabilitation.
The court struck out Counts 1 and 3 at the request of Director of Public Prosecution Oyedepo Rotimi, SAN.
The counts bordered on receiving N490,300 from Battujo and sponsorship for Hajj pilgrimage with proceeds of terrorism.
—“Aided and abetted Battujo, passed information”—
According to Count 2, the women “aided and abetted the activities of Battujo, a known bandit kingpin and passed information through telephone conversations to the said Battujo,” an offence under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Safiya Salihu, the mother, also pleaded guilty to Count 5 for concealing information about her son’s terrorism activities.
Halima Abdullahi, the sister, pleaded guilty to Count 4 for concealing information that her brother illegally acquired firearms which she saw during a visit to his forest camp. She failed to disclose the information to law enforcement, contrary to Section 16 of the Act.
—Charges struck out—-
Count 1 alleged they received N490,300 from Battujo, knowing it was proceeds of terrorism, contrary to Section 21 of the Act.
Count 3 alleged they received sponsorship for Hajj pilgrimage from Battujo from funds they ought to know formed part of terrorism proceeds.
The DPP urged the court to strike out both counts, and Justice Yilwa did so before convicting them on the remaining charges.
