Nigeria: Three Convicted Terrorists Sentenced to Death for Arms Trafficking

A High Court in Sokoto State has handed down a death sentence to three men convicted of terrorism-related offenses and illegal arms trafficking. The judgment, delivered by Justice Nuraddeen Muhammed Bello, targets Jabbi Alhaji Yalle, a citizen of Niger Republic, alongside Nigerians Yusuf Muhammad and Kabiru Muhammad.

The Department of State Services (DSS) successfully prosecuted the case, presenting evidence and witness testimonies that convinced the court of the defendants' guilt. The court found the accused culpable in the offenses of terrorism and arms trafficking, leading to the sentence of death by hanging. Additionally, all monetary exhibits and assets seized from the convicts during the investigation were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

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The evidence before this court clearly establishes the culpability of the defendants in the offences of terrorism and arms trafficking.

Intelligence-led operations by the DSS Counter-Terrorism Unit led to the arrest of the three men on June 13, 2025. Investigations linked them to cross-border criminal networks involved in the movement and supply of arms, contributing to the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria's North-West region.

This verdict is being hailed as a crucial milestone in the fight against terrorism and arms trafficking. Residents commended the DSS for its thorough investigation and the judiciary for upholding due legal process. They stressed the importance of timely prosecution in bolstering public trust in the justice system and called for sustained, intelligence-driven operations and enhanced collaboration among security agencies and neighboring countries to combat transnational crime and terrorism financing.

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Accordingly, the court finds the accused persons guilty as charged and sentences them to death by hanging.