Kebbi Police Secure Convictions of 19 for Terrorism, Illegal Arms Possession

 

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

Police Public Relations Officer SP Bashir Usman announced the outcome in a statement issued on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. 

The judgments were delivered by Justice Emmanuel Gakko of the Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi Judicial Division. 

The cases arose from intelligence-led operations in Yauri, Bagudo, Sakaba and other security flashpoints across the state.

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

Police said the pair were intercepted along Yauri Road while travelling in a vehicle allegedly acquired to transport kidnap victims to a forest hideout. 

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

In separate cases, 11 people were convicted of unlawful possession of firearms. Police recovered 11 assorted weapons during the operations, including locally fabricated pistols, a locally made Beretta pistol and dane guns. 

Among those convicted was Chinese national Ripin Liu, 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) received four years without the option of a fine. 

Abubakar Siddi, Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula, Abubakar Usman and Buba Alhaji Umaru each received three-year sentences (the latter arrested in Bagudo Local Government Area after allegedly crossing from a neighbouring country with a locally fabricated pistol). 

John Zweme was sentenced to two years and six months with an option of a fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma each received two-year terms with the option of a fine.

Six others, Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu were convicted of vandalising and stealing electricity cables in Sakaba Local Government Area. 

Police said the acts disrupted power supply to entire communities. They received prison terms ranging from three to eight years.Commissioner of Police Umar M. Hadejia described the convictions as evidence that crime carries consequences. 

“The convictions send an unmistakable message that crime does not pay,” he said. He noted that the 17-month process from arrest to conviction showed the command’s determination to pursue complex cases to conclusion. 

Hadejia praised the trial judge, investigators and prosecutors, and pledged to sustain operations against terrorism, illegal arms and economic sabotage. 

He urged residents to report suspicious movements, assuring that credible tips would be acted upon decisively.