Court Jails Mother, Sister Of Late Terrorist Leader Battujo For 40 Years
By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women linked to terrorism activities to 40 years imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to charges filed against them by the Federal Government.
The convicts, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, are the mother and sister of late terrorist commander Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, who was killed by security operatives on June 10, 2026, near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment on Friday after the two women admitted guilt to Counts 2, 4 and 5 in a five-count terrorism-related case instituted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The court, however, discharged them on Counts 1 and 3, which involved allegations that they received ₦490,300 from Battujo despite knowing the money came from terrorism proceeds, as well as sponsorship for a religious pilgrimage financed with terrorism funds.
During proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Oyedepo Rotimi, SAN, asked the court to strike out the two counts and proceed with conviction on the remaining charges.
Part of Count 2 stated that the women “aided and abetted the activities of Battujo, a known bandit kingpin, and passed information through telephone conversations to the said Battujo, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
The court heard that Battujo’s mother pleaded guilty to Count 5, which accused her of concealing information concerning her son’s terrorism activities.
Halima Abdullahi also admitted guilt to Count 4, which alleged that she failed to report her brother’s illegal possession of firearms after seeing the weapons during a visit to his camp in the forest.
Justice Yilwa sentenced each of the women to 20 years imprisonment on the counts for which they were convicted.
The judge directed that the jail terms run concurrently. The court also ordered that both convicts should undergo rehabilitation after serving their sentences.