Kebbi Police Win 17-Month Legal Battle, Convict 19 Criminals

By Ibrahim Bello

The Kebbi Police Command says it has secured the conviction of 19 persons for terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and vandalism of critical national infrastructure.

The command said the successes were recorded after 17 months of investigation and prosecution.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bashir Usman, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi.

He said the convictions followed intelligence-led operations across Yauri, Bagudo, Sakaba and other security flashpoints in the state.

Usman said Justice Emmanuel Gakko of the Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi Judicial Division, delivered the judgment, which concluded prosecutions involving terrorism, unlawful possession of firearms and vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

“Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa-Uzzi were convicted on three counts bordering on terrorism, providing logistics to an armed terrorist group and conspiracy to commit terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The two were intercepted along Yauri Road while travelling in a vehicle allegedly acquired to transport kidnap victims to a forest hideout. The court sentenced each of them to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count and ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government, having established their connection with the offences,” he said.

Usman said 11 other persons were convicted for unlawful possession of firearms, with 11 assorted weapons, including locally fabricated pistols, a locally made Beretta pistol and dane guns, recovered during operations.

“Among them was a Chinese national, Mr Ripin Liu, who was arrested with a locally made Beretta pistol and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with an option of fine. Mohammed Bello-Ibrahim, also known as Banki, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment without an option of fine, while Abubakar Siddi received a three-year jail term without an option of fine. Similarly, Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula and Abubakar Usman were each sentenced to three years’ imprisonment without an option of fine”

“Buba Alhaji Umaru, who was arrested in Bagudo Local Government Area after allegedly crossing from a neighbouring country with a locally fabricated pistol, was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. John Zweme received two years and six months’ imprisonment, with an option of fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with an option of fine,” he said.

Usman added that six persons, Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu, were convicted for vandalism and stealing electricity cables in Sakaba Local Government Area.

“Their actions reportedly disrupted electricity supply to affected communities, while the court handed them various prison terms ranging from three to eight years,” he said.

Reacting to the judgment, the PPRO quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Hadejia, as commending the trial judge, investigators and prosecuting counsel for their roles in securing the convictions.

“The 17-month process demonstrated the command’s determination to pursue complex criminal cases to their logical conclusion. The police will sustain operations against terrorism, illegal arms proliferation and economic sabotage. Let me appeal to residents to report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies. I want to assure residents that credible information will receive prompt attention and the command is committed to protecting lives and property of citizenry,” the CP assured.

NAN