The court sentenced terrorist Kipin’s mother and sister to 40 years in prison each for aiding the rebellion

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of notorious terrorist commander Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo to 40 years in prison each after they confessed to supporting his terrorist operations.

Judge Hauwa Yilwa delivered the verdict on Friday following guilty pleas entered by Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi to terrorism-related offenses filed against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Battujo, a dreaded bandit and terrorist leader, was killed by security operatives on June 10, 2026, after a failed attempt to kidnap a large number of students who were taking the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in a forest area near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of ​​Kogi State.

The court found the two women guilty of three of the five charges brought against them. The violations committed include their role in facilitating Battujo’s activities by providing information via telephone communications, an action that is contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Safiya, who is Battujo’s mother, was also convicted of withholding information from authorities despite visiting her son’s camp in the jungle and knowing that her son had a firearm. His daughter, Halima, was separately found guilty of concealing information that could have helped security agencies in tracking and arresting the terrorist leader.

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During the trial, the prosecutor presented several indictments against the defendants, which stated:

“That you HALIMA ABDULLAHI and SAFIYA SALIHU, Female, adults, of Dungun Muaza Sabuwa LGA, Katsina State sometime in the year 2026 in Katsina State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did commit an offence, when you received the sum of four hundred and ninety thousand, only three hundred Naira (N490,300) from Battujo known terrorist, which amount you should reasonably know was part of the proceeds of Terrorism, and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under section 21 of the Terrorism (Prohibition of Prevention) Act, 2022.

“That you HALIMA ABDULLAHI and SAFIYA SALIHU, Female, adults, of Dungun Muaza Sabuwa LGA, Katsina State sometime in the year 2026 in Katsina State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, committed an offence, when you aided and abetted in the activities of Battujo a notorious bandit Kingpin and conveyed information through telephone conversations to the said Battujo, and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under section 26 of the Act (Prohibition on Preventing) Terrorism, 2022.”

The defendants pleaded guilty to charges two, four and five, so they were sentenced on those charges.

However, the court dismissed charges one and three, which accused the couple of knowingly receiving ₦490,300 originating from terrorist activities. Their acquittal on the charges followed an application made by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Oyedepo Rotimi (SAN).

Although each of their offenses carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, Judge Yilwa ordered that the sentences be served concurrently, so that each effective prison sentence is 40 years.

In addition to prison sentences, the court ordered that the two women undergo a rehabilitation program after serving their prison sentences.