Mother and Sister of Terrorist Kingpin Jailed 40 Years for Aiding Terrorism in Nigeria

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, the mother and sister of the late terrorist leader Ibrahim Battujo, to 40 years imprisonment each. The sentences were handed down for their roles in aiding Battujo's terrorist activities.

Justice Hauwa Yilwa delivered the sentences after the two women pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Their conviction stems from passing information to Battujo via telephone conversations, an act contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Battujo himself was killed by security forces on June 10, 2026. This occurred following a failed attempt to abduct students who were taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in a forest near Iluke, Kogi State.

Safiya Salihu, Battujo's mother, was also convicted for concealing information about her son's activities after visiting his forest camp and witnessing him in possession of firearms. Halima Abdullahi, the sister, faced a separate count for concealing information that could have aided in Battujo's apprehension. The court discharged them on two counts related to receiving funds suspected to be proceeds of terrorism, following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions.