Court Jails Terrorist Kingpin Battujo’s Mother, Sister for 40 Years Each

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced the mother and sister of slain terrorist kingpin, Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, to 40 years imprisonment each for supporting his terrorist activities and concealing information that could have aided security agencies.

Justice Hauwa Yilwa handed down the sentences after the two women, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences brought against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Battujo, a notorious bandit leader, was killed by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, following a failed attempt to abduct students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The court found both women guilty on three counts bordering on aiding and abetting terrorism as well as concealing information about the activities of a known terrorist.

According to the prosecution, Safiya and Halima maintained communication with Battujo and passed information to him through telephone conversations, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Safiya, Battujo’s mother, was further convicted for withholding information about her son’s activities despite visiting his forest camp and seeing him in possession of firearms. Halima was also found guilty of concealing information that could have facilitated his arrest by security agencies.

The prosecution revealed that both women had close contact with the terrorist kingpin and failed to alert authorities despite being aware of his criminal activities.

Although the defendants were initially charged on five counts, they pleaded guilty to counts two, four and five. The court discharged them on counts one and three following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Oyedepo Rotimi (SAN), who withdrew the charges relating to the receipt of alleged terrorism proceeds.

Justice Yilwa sentenced each defendant to 20 years imprisonment on the applicable counts but ordered that the terms run concurrently, resulting in a total sentence of 40 years each.

The court also directed that both convicts undergo rehabilitation programmes after serving their jail terms, stressing the need to discourage support networks that sustain terrorism and banditry across the country.