Court Sentences Battujo’s Mother, Sister To 40 Years For Terrorism Offences

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women described by prosecutors as relatives of suspected terrorist kingpin Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo to 40 years in prison after they pleaded guilty to terrorism-related counts.

The convicted women were identified in court reports as Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, said to be Battujo’s mother and sister. Channels Television and Daily Post reported that Justice Hauwa Yilwa handed down the sentence after the women pleaded guilty to counts linked to aiding and concealing information about terrorist activity.

The reports said the charges were brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, while the Department of State Services was involved in the investigation that led to the prosecution. The court was told that the women aided Battujo’s activities and failed to disclose information connected to his operations.

The case is a follow-up to the security operation in which Nigerian forces said Battujo was killed in Kogi State. NaijaTrend previously reported that operation here.

The sentencing adds a legal dimension to the security operation, but the reports did not indicate whether the defendants plan to appeal. The story also underlines how federal prosecutors are increasingly pursuing alleged support networks around violent groups, not only fighters in the field.

Sources: Channels Television, Daily Post