Five terrorists receive 25‑year sentences and must forfeit a vehicle and 15 rifles to the federal government.

Five individuals on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, charged by the Department of State Services (DSS), were each sentenced to 25 years in prison for their involvement in attacks in Niger and Kwara states.

The defendants include three Nigerian nationals and two citizens of the Niger Republic, all of whom are based in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The convicted terrorists are Yusuf Mohammed (aka Bature), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (aka Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tukur (aka Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (aka Gado Banufe).

Justice Binta Nyako delivered the sentences on Thursday after the defendants pleaded guilty to a four‑count terrorism charge.

In counts one and two, which involved conspiracy and providing assistance to Boko Haram members in Borgu LGA, the court imposed 25 years each.

In count three, concerning unlawful possession of firearms, the judge sentenced them to seven years each.

In count four, where the defendants admitted concealing information about Boko Haram activities in a forest in Borgu LGA, they received 25 years each.

In addition to imprisonment, Justice Nyako ordered that the golf car used to transport 15 AK‑103 rifles from the Niger Republic to Nigeria be forfeited to the Federal Government, along with the firearms.

The charges encompassed rendering assistance to a terrorist by transporting rifles, possession of arms and ammunition while concealed, illegal possession, dealing with firearms, and concealment.

Following the defendants’ admission of guilt, the prosecution counsel requested the court to convict the defendants as charged and to allow the submission of the forwarding letter containing the investigation report and the defendants’ statements. The defence counsel did not object.

The exhibits were admitted and marked as A, 1‑5. Fifteen AK‑103 rifles, complete with magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, were also tendered without objection from the defence counsel. These were marked as B, 1‑14, and the ammunition as C series.

The court subsequently sentenced the five convicts, directing that they serve their terms in a facility designated by the Minister of Interior.

The charges read as follows:

COUNT 1

That Yusuf Muhammad (a.k.a. Bature), 33, of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State; Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutua), 23, of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger; Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), 25, of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger; Mubarak Ibrahim, 28, of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State; and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a. Gado Banufe) between 23 and 24 April 2026, jointly conspired to render assistance to a terrorist by agreeing to and intentionally playing various roles in conveying fifteen AK‑103 rifles and about 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition from the Diffa region, Republic of Niger to Malam Ahmad, a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu LGA, Niger State. The defendants thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT 2

That the same defendants, between 23 and 24 April 2026, supported the commission of an act of terrorism by agreeing to and conveying fifteen AK‑103 rifles and about 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition from the Diffa region, Republic of Niger on behalf of Malam Ahmad, a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu LGA, Niger State. The defendants thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT 3

That Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutuwa), 23, of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger; Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), 25, of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger; and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a. Gado Banufe), sometime between 23 and 24 April 2026 at Kwangila area, along the Kano‑Kaduna express, Zaria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, possessed fifteen AK‑103 rifles and about 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition concealed in sacks of dried fish loaded in a blue Volkswagen Golf 3 car with the Republic of Niger registered plate number BT 9990 DA. The defendants thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(a)(i) and (b)(ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28 LFN, 2004.

COUNT 4

That Yusuf Muhammad (a.k.a. Bature), 33, of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State, sometime between February 2025 and April 2026, possessed information that he knew or believed to be material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of Malam Ahmad, a known terrorist hibernating in Gandu forest, Borgu LGA, Niger State, and failed to disclose such information to law enforcement or security officers. The defendant thereby committed an offence in contravention of Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.