Katsina Court sentences woman to death over ammunition supply to bandits

A Federal High Court in Katsina has sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar to death by hanging after finding her guilty of terrorism-related offences linked to the supply of ammunition to armed bandits operating in North-Western Nigeria in a judgment that underscored the expanding support networks sustaining criminal groups across the Region.

Mukhtar was convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding and abetting terrorist activities following her prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Court heard that the convict was arrested by DSS operatives on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while allegedly attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a suspected bandit leader, Ado, believed to be operating from the Dunburum Forest in Zamfara State.

Following her arrest, she was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Katsina in Suit No. KTH/65C/2023, where the prosecution presented evidence, witness testimonies and exhibits linking her to the alleged terrorist support operation.

Delivering judgment, A. B. Bawale held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt after reviewing the materials before the court and the submissions of counsel.

The court subsequently found Mukhtar guilty on both counts and sentenced her to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, 2021.

The verdict is regarded as one of the most significant convictions secured against individuals accused of providing logistical support to armed groups that have continued to fuel insecurity across parts of the North-West.

Security analysts have increasingly warned that women are being recruited by bandit and terrorist networks to perform support roles, including the transportation of arms, ammunition, cash and food supplies, as well as intelligence gathering and communication, exploiting the perception that they attract less scrutiny at security checkpoints.

In recent years, security agencies have reported several arrests of female suspects allegedly linked to criminal syndicates operating across Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger states. While many women in conflict-affected communities remain victims of violence, abduction and displacement, intelligence reports have also pointed to a growing number being used by armed groups for logistics, recruitment and supply operations.

The trend has complicated counter-terrorism efforts, forcing security agencies to broaden intelligence gathering and surveillance beyond conventional profiles traditionally associated with violent extremism and banditry.

The proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition remains one of the major factors sustaining bandit activities in northern Nigeria, where criminal gangs continue to carry out attacks on rural communities, highways and farming settlements, leading to thousands of deaths and displacements over the past decade.

Authorities have repeatedly stressed that dismantling the supply chains feeding armed groups is as important as confronting the gunmen themselves, noting that those who procure or transport weapons play a critical role in sustaining violent attacks.

The conviction of Mukhtar is expected to reinforce ongoing efforts by security agencies and the judiciary to hold accountable not only armed fighters but also individuals found to be facilitating terrorist and bandit operations through logistics, financing and other forms of material support.