Crime
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday sentenced a housewife, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and supporting acts of terrorism.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa after the defendant pleaded guilty to two out of a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Yilwa held that the growing menace of banditry and terrorism in the country had become a serious threat to national security and should not be handled with leniency.
The judge noted that although the convict appeared remorseful and pleaded for mercy, offences connected to terrorism and arms trafficking remained grave threats to the safety of citizens.
The court heard that the convict admitted serving as a courier for the transportation of ammunition intended for bandits operating in Plateau State.
During the trial, the first prosecution witness and DSS operative, Fahad Tahir, told the court that the accused was arrested on July 6, 2025, with 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition and N57,100 cash while allegedly transporting the items to armed bandits in Plateau.
According to Tahir, the defendant made a confessional statement in Hausa language at the DSS Plateau State Command, where she disclosed that one Alhaji Sani had sent her to Zaria in Kaduna State to procure the ammunition from another individual.
The witness further stated that the accused was later transferred to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja on Aug. 11, 2025, where another interview was conducted in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.
He said the defendant again admitted ownership and transportation of the ammunition and cash exhibits.
The prosecution counsel, Dr. Callistus Samson Ezeh, tendered the 302 rounds of ammunition, the cash sum of N57,100, and the defendant’s statements as exhibits before the court.
The exhibits were admitted without objection from defence counsel, Hamza Dantani.
In open court, the defendant also admitted being in possession of the ammunition and cash at the time of her arrest.
One of the charges stated that the convict knowingly rendered support for acts of terrorism by transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition between Katsina and Plateau States, contrary to Section 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accused her of unlawful possession of ammunition contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004.
The DSS also accused the defendant of concealing information about suspected gunrunners and kidnappers allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
Following her guilty plea and review of the evidence presented, Justice Yilwa convicted and sentenced the defendant to 20 years imprisonment.
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Police arrest man for allegedly hacking father to death with axe in Benue
By Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested a man for allegedly hacking his father to death with an axe following a family dispute in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 8:00 a.m. on July 25 by the Clan Head of Turan-Tse Twar, Injorov Tongov, Zaki Akor Kpan.
According to the report, the tragic incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on July 24 after the suspect, identified as Terfa Nyikwagh, engaged in a heated argument with his father, Mr. Nyikwagh Abor, over the death of his brother, Ternenge Uwuh.
The sources said the disagreement escalated, during which the suspect allegedly attacked his father with an axe, inflicting fatal injuries.
Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Katsina-Ala led a patrol team to the scene, where the suspect was arrested without resistance.
The body of the deceased was evacuated and deposited at the Gondozua Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
The suspect remains in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident before prosecution.
Police arrest man for allegedly hacking father to death with axe in Benue
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue gunshot victim in Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 7 of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued a victim in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops responded at about 5:50 p.m. on July 26 to a distress call reporting a kidnapping incident in Ikulu, Gora general area.
The sources said the troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victim and flee.
The rescued victim, who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident, was evacuated for medical attention before being reunited with his family.
Security forces have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects, while operations continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the area.
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue gunshot victim in Kaduna
Crime
Air Component OPHK Neutralises Terrorists in Precision Night Strike on ISWAP Hideout in Southern Lake Chad
Air Component OPHK Neutralises Terrorists in Precision Night Strike on ISWAP Hideout in Southern Lake Chad
By Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has carried out a successful precision airstrike against an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout in the Southern Lake Chad region, neutralising several terrorists during a late-night operation supported by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the mission was launched after persistent ISR tracking identified significant terrorist activity around Arenna, in Marte Local Government Area
of Borno state.
The operation, executed by the ISR platform, commenced at about 10:35 p.m. on July 23, following an intelligence report indicating the presence of about 50 motorcycles belonging to terrorists moving within the general area.
According to operational feedback, the aircraft established overhead surveillance before conducting a precision strike on a building confirmed to be serving as a terrorist hideout.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted immediately after the strike confirmed that all terrorists inside the targeted structure were neutralised, while three additional fighters outside the building were also killed.
The assessment further revealed that three other terrorists within the strike area were seen fleeing the scene, suggesting they sustained the shock of the attack and were attempting to escape.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the aircraft remained overhead after the initial strike to conduct further surveillance and, if necessary, engage fleeing terrorists with follow-up strikes.
“The operation was intelligence-driven and executed with precision. The initial assessment indicates that the objective was successfully achieved, while surveillance continued to ensure that any surviving terrorists attempting to regroup or escape could be engaged,” the officer said.
The successful strike is part of the ongoing air interdiction campaign by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI aimed at dismantling ISWAP and Boko Haram enclaves, disrupting their mobility, and denying them freedom of action across the Lake Chad theatre.
Air Component OPHK Neutralises Terrorists in Precision Night Strike on ISWAP Hideout in Southern Lake Chad
Police arrest man for allegedly hacking father to death with axe in Benue
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