Abuja court sentences nursing mother to 20 years for terrorism

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Halima Umar to 20 years imprisonment over terrorism-related offences involving the unlawful possession and transportation of 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.

Justice Hauwa Yilwa handed down the sentence on Friday after the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts in a four-count charge brought against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Halima, who was arrested in Plateau State, admitted to charges bordering on illegal possession of ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism during her arraignment on May 11.

In her judgment, Justice Yilwa held that the defendant’s guilty plea amounted to an admission of the prosecution’s case, noting that no evidence was presented to contradict the facts before the court.

“The defendant, having admitted the facts of the offence as presented by the prosecution, the court is satisfied. She is accordingly convicted on counts three and four,” the judge ruled.

Hamza Dantani, Defence counsel, appealed for leniency, describing the convict as a first-time offender, a nursing mother and someone who had shown remorse by pleading guilty without wasting the court’s time.

Caliatus Eze, prosecution counsel,also informed the court that there was no previous criminal record against the defendant.

Justice Yilwa subsequently sentenced Halima to 20 years imprisonment on the count relating to support for terrorism and one year imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition.

The court adjourned the matter until July 9 for trial on the remaining two counts, to which the defendant pleaded not guilty.

Court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/450/2025 showed that the DSS accused the defendant, a resident of Unguwan Boka in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, of transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition between Barkin Ladi and Jos North local government areas of Plateau State on July 7, 2025.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravened provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

While testifying before the court, DSS operative Fahad Tahir said the defendant was transferred to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja following her arrest by the Plateau State Command.

He told the court that investigators recovered 302 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, a confessional statement, investigation reports and N57,100 from the defendant.

Tahir further stated that the defendant disclosed during interrogation that a man identified as Sani instructed her to travel to Zaria in Kaduna State before directing her to Jos, where another individual allegedly handed over a bag containing the ammunition.

She was arrested while transporting the ammunition, the DSS operative said.