Police Secure Conviction of 19 for Terrorism, Others in Kebbi

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

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

The police disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman.

According to the statement, two men identified as Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi were convicted on three counts involving terrorism, providing logistics to an armed terrorist group and conspiracy to commit terrorism.

The police said the men were intercepted along Yauri Road while travelling in a vehicle allegedly acquired to transport kidnapped victims to a forest hideout.

The court sentenced both men 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 people were convicted of unlawful possession of firearms. Police said assorted weapons, including locally fabricated pistols and dane guns, were recovered during the operations.

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

Other defendants received prison terms ranging from two to four years, with different conditions attached to their sentences.

The command also secured the conviction of six people for vandalising and stealing electricity cables in Sakaba Local Government Area. The police said the offences disrupted power supply to entire communities.

The six were identified as Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu. They received prison terms ranging from three to eight years.

Reacting to the judgments, Kebbi State Commissioner of Police Umar M. Hadejia said the convictions demonstrated the consequences of criminal activity and the command’s commitment to bringing offenders to justice.

He commended the presiding judge, investigators and prosecuting counsel for their roles in the cases and pledged to sustain operations against terrorism, illegal arms possession and attacks on critical infrastructure.

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

The police said they would continue working with communities and other security agencies to protect lives and property across Kebbi State.