Kebbi: Police secure 19 convictions after 17-month prosecution

The Kebbi State Police Command has secured the conviction of 19 persons for terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and vandalism of electricity infrastructure following 17 months of investigation and prosecution.

The convictions were delivered by the Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Gakko, after intelligence-led operations in Yauri, Bagudo, Sakaba and other security flashpoints across the state.

The police disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Bashir Usman, describing the judgments as a major breakthrough in efforts to tackle terrorism, arms proliferation and economic sabotage.

Two men identified as Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi were convicted on three counts bordering on terrorism, providing logistics to an armed terrorist group and conspiracy to commit terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the police, the duo were intercepted along Yauri Road in a vehicle allegedly acquired to transport kidnapped victims to their forest hideout.

The court sentenced each of them to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count and ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government.

In a separate case, 11 persons were convicted of illegal possession of firearms. The police said 11 weapons, including locally fabricated pistols, a locally made Beretta pistol and dane guns, were recovered during the operations.

Among the convicts was a Chinese national, identified as Ripin Liu, who was arrested with a locally made Beretta pistol and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.

Mohammed Bello Ibrahim, also known as Banki, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine, while Abubakar Siddi received three years without an option of a fine.

Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula, Abubakar Usman and Buba Alhaji Umaru were each sentenced to three years in prison. John Zweme received two years and six months, with an option of a fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma were each sentenced to two years, with an option of a fine.

The command also secured the conviction of six persons — Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu — for vandalising and stealing electric cables in Sakaba Local Government Area.

The police said the offence disrupted electricity supply to entire communities. The convicts received prison terms ranging from three to eight years.

Reacting to the judgments, the Commissioner of Police, Umar M. Hadejia, said the convictions showed that offenders would be held accountable for their actions.

“The convictions send an unmistakable message that crime does not pay,” he said.

Hadejia commended Justice Gakko for handling the cases and praised the investigators and prosecuting counsel for their work. He pledged to sustain operations against terrorism, illegal arms possession and the destruction of critical infrastructure.

He also urged residents to report suspicious movements and activities, assuring them that credible information would receive prompt attention.

“Every credible tip would be acted upon decisively,” he said.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.