Terrorism Crackdown: Court Jails Battujo’s Mother, Sister for 40 Years

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced two women arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for terrorism-related offences to 40 years imprisonment.

The convicted women, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, are the mother and sister, respectively, of terrorist kingpin Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, who was eliminated by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment after both women pleaded guilty to Counts 2, 4 and 5 of a five-count terrorism charge filed against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The two women were discharged on Counts 1 and 3, which related to receiving N490,300 from Battujo, knowing it was proceeds of terrorism, and undertaking a sponsored Hajj pilgrimage funded with proceeds of terrorism. The Director of Public Prosecution, Oyedepo Rotimi (SAN), urged the court to strike out those counts while seeking convictions on the remaining charges.
According to Count 2, both women aided and abetted the activities of Battujo, a known bandit kingpin, by passing information to him through telephone conversations, contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In addition to Count 2, Battujo’s mother pleaded guilty to Count 5, which involved concealing information about her son’s terrorism-related activities.
Halima Abdullahi, Battujo’s sister, also pleaded guilty to Count 4, which concerned her failure to disclose information about firearms she saw in her brother’s possession during a visit to his forest camp.
Justice Yilwa noted that each count carries a punishment of 20 years imprisonment but ordered that the sentences run concurrently. The court also directed that both convicts undergo rehabilitation after serving their terms.
The Charges
Count 1: Alleged that Halima Abdullahi and Safiya Salihu received N490,300 from Battujo, funds they reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of terrorism, contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count 2: Alleged that both women aided and abetted Battujo’s activities by relaying information to him through telephone conversations, contrary to Section 26 of the Act.
Count 3: Alleged that both women accepted sponsorship from Battujo for a Hajj pilgrimage using funds reasonably believed to be proceeds of terrorism, contrary to Section 21 of the Act.
Count 4: Alleged that one of the defendants concealed information about Battujo’s possession of firearms after visiting his forest camp and failed to report it to law enforcement authorities, contrary to Section 16 of the Act.
Count 5: Alleged that one of the defendants concealed information about Battujo’s activities despite knowing it could assist security agencies in apprehending him, contrary to Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The court subsequently convicted the women on the counts to which they pleaded guilty and ordered that they serve their sentences concurrently.