The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, to 40 years imprisonment each for terrorism-related offences linked to the activities of a suspected terrorist and bandit kingpin, Ibrahim Battujo.

The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Hauwa Yilwa after the two women pleaded guilty to several counts contained in a five-count charge filed against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The convicts are the mother and sister of Ibrahim Battujo, a suspected terrorist leader who was killed by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, during an operation in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to the prosecution, both women admitted to aiding and abetting Battujo’s activities by passing information to him through telephone conversations, despite knowing he was a notorious bandit kingpin.

The charge stated that the offences contravened Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Oyedepo Rotimi (SAN), informed the court that the defendants had accepted responsibility for some of the charges and urged the court to strike out counts one and three.

Count one alleged that the women received ₦490,300 from Battujo while knowing the money constituted proceeds of terrorism, while count three accused them of undertaking a sponsored pilgrimage funded with proceeds of terrorist activities.

The court subsequently struck out the two counts and proceeded to convict the defendants on the remaining charges to which they pleaded guilty.

Safiya Salihu, Battujo’s mother, was convicted for aiding and abetting terrorism activities and for concealing information relating to her son’s terrorist operations.

Halima Abdullahi, Battujo’s sister, was convicted for aiding and abetting terrorism activities and for concealing information about firearms illegally acquired by her brother, which she reportedly saw during a visit to his forest camp.

Justice Yilwa sentenced each of the women to 20 years imprisonment on each count of conviction. However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning they will serve the terms simultaneously rather than consecutively.

In addition to the prison terms, the court directed that both convicts undergo rehabilitation after serving their sentences.

The judgment highlights ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to prosecute not only individuals directly involved in terrorism but also those found to have supported, facilitated, or concealed information relating to terrorist activities.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of a man, Paul Jibrin Oweleke, in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to social media broadcasts calling for the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office.

Oweleke was arraigned before Justice Akintoye Aluko on a two-count charge bordering on alleged incitement and the use of a computer system to circulate content considered harmful to national security and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

According to the DSS, the defendant used his online platform, “Oweleke TV,” to publish broadcasts allegedly urging the Nigerian military to overthrow President Tinubu in a manner similar to military takeovers witnessed in some West African countries.

The security agency told the court that the broadcasts were capable of inciting public unrest, encouraging disaffection against the government, and undermining democratic governance in the country.

When the charges were read to him, Oweleke pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, counsel for the DSS requested that the defendant be remanded pending the commencement of trial.

However, the defence counsel informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.

After hearing both parties, Justice Aluko adjourned the case until June 16, 2026, for the hearing and determination of the bail application.

The court further ordered that Oweleke remain in DSS custody pending the outcome of the bail proceedings.

The case comes barely two months after the Federal Government arraigned six other suspects over allegations of plotting to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration.

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The Plateau State Government has arraigned several suspects allegedly linked to the deadly Anguwan Rukuba attack, a tragic incident that claimed over 30 lives and sparked widespread outrage across the state.

The suspects, who were apprehended by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were brought before the Plateau State High Court in Jos on multiple charges bordering on terrorism and conspiracy.

The arraignment took place before Justice Gidelia Fomyong and Justice Jacob Longden in Courts 12 and 9 respectively, drawing significant public attention as grieving families and concerned residents continue to demand justice.

According to the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, who filed the charges, the accused persons allegedly violated provisions of Sections 269 and 270 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.

The defendants include Isa Umar Ibrahim and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim from Riyom Local Government Area; Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, from Jos North Local Government Area; and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro, also from Jos North. Another suspect, Ado Ibrahim from Riyom, is currently at large.

In the charge sheet presented before the court, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired on March 28, 2025, in Farin Gada, Jos North, to plan, organize, and finance the attack in Anguwan Rukuba.

They were further accused of facilitating and contributing resources that led to the violent assault on the community.

The prosecution maintained that the attack resulted in the deaths of more than 30 people, describing the actions of the suspects as acts of terrorism under the state’s penal laws.

The suspects were reportedly arrested between April 3 and April 10, 2026, following investigations by security operatives.

The Anguwan Rukuba killings had heightened tensions across Jos and surrounding areas, prompting calls from civil society groups and residents for swift justice and improved security measures.

For families who lost loved ones, the court proceedings signal the beginning of a long-awaited quest for justice. Observers note that the outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications for security and accountability in Plateau State.

The case has been adjourned to a later date for further hearing, as the court begins the process of examining the charges and evidence presented by the prosecution.