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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Two Arms Traffickers Jailed Over Terrorism Offences in Katsina

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Two arms traffickers were sentenced to over 20 years in prison for terrorism-related offenses in Katsina State.
  • Abdussalam Muhammad and Aminu Mamman were arrested in September 2025 with a cache of firearms and ammunition.
  • The recovered items included a PKT machine gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition intended for criminal elements.

A Katsina State court has sentenced two arms traffickers, Abdussalam Muhammad and Aminu Mamman, to over 20 years imprisonment each for terrorism-related offenses. The Nigeria Police Force announced the conviction, highlighting their commitment to combating arms trafficking and terrorism.

Following comprehensive investigations, the suspects were charged before the Federal High Court, Katsina Judicial Division, in Charge No. FHC/KT/84C/2025 on a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession and transportation of prohibited firearms and ammunition, rendering support to terrorists, and acts preparatory to terrorism, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.

— CSP Anietie InieduDetailing the charges brought against the arms traffickers.

The duo was arrested in September 2025 by operatives of the Katsina State Police Command along the Ingawa–Karkarku Road. They were found transporting a significant cache of prohibited firearms and ammunition, which were allegedly destined for criminal elements in the region.

During their arrest, authorities recovered a PKT machine gun, 230 rounds of PKT ammunition, and 1,663 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm AK-47 ammunition. The vehicle used in the transportation of these weapons was also seized.

After a full trial during which the prosecution presented witnesses and tendered documentary and material exhibits, both suspects were found guilty on all counts.

— CSP Anietie InieduDescribing the court's verdict.

The prosecution charged the convicts before the Federal High Court in Katsina on five counts, including criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession and transportation of prohibited firearms, rendering support to terrorists, and acts preparatory to terrorism. Following a full trial, the court found both suspects guilty on all counts, leading to their substantial prison sentences. The Inspector-General of Police commended the successful prosecution, reiterating the force's resolve to disrupt the illicit arms trade and bring perpetrators of acts threatening national security to justice.

He reiterates the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to combating terrorism, disrupting the illicit proliferation of arms, and ensuring that all persons involved in acts threatening Nigeria’s national security are brought to justice.

— Inspector-General of Police Olatunji DisuStating the police force's ongoing commitment to national security.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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