Female gunrunner sentenced to 20 years for alleged terrorism.

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA – On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Halima Haliru, a female gunrunner, to 20 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to terrorism‑related offenses.

She was arrested in July 2025 in Plateau State by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS).

During the arrest, authorities seized 302 live rounds of 7.62×39 mm ammunition from her.

Haliru admitted guilt on two of the four charges brought by the DSS.

Accordingly, Trial Justice Hauwa Yilwa found her guilty and imposed a sentence in line with the law.

During sentencing, the judge noted that she had requested leniency at her arraignment.

The judge also emphasized the seriousness of the terrorism charge, describing it as a grave offense that endangers peaceful coexistence.

Using Sections 5 and 7 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and Section 27 of the Firearms Act, the court imposed a 20‑year term for count three and a one‑year term for count four.

Both sentences were to run concurrently, starting from the arrest date.

After serving the sentence, the court ordered that she be sent to a deradicalisation rehabilitation facility before reintegration.

Justice Yilwa scheduled a follow‑up hearing for July 9 to address the remaining charges.

Some of the counts in the charge read:

“That you, Halima Haliru Umar of Unguwan Boka, Faskari LGA, Katsina State, adult, female, sometime in July 2025, at Faskari LGA, Katsina State and Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly conceal information about one Alhaji Sani and one Alhaji (fnu), suspected gun‑runners, bandits and kidnappers, knowing the information to be of material assistance in apprehending and preventing the commission of acts of terrorism, but failed to disclose the information to any law enforcement or security officer, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punish