From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
A Sokoto State High Court has sentenced three persons, including a citizen of the Republic of Niger, to death by hanging for terrorism and arms trafficking.
The convicts are Jabbi Alhaji Yalle, a Nigerien national, Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Sallau, and Kabiru Muhammad.
Justice Nuraddeen Muhammed Bello of High Court 23 delivered the judgment in Case No. SS/45C/2026, finding the three defendants guilty of terrorism and arms proliferation charges.
According to the judge, the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and the evidence presented before the court established the guilt of the accused persons.
Justice Bello also ordered that all monetary exhibits recovered from the convicts be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The three men were arrested on June 13, 2025, by the Department of State Services (DSS) Counter-Terrorism Unit over alleged cross-border criminal activities involving arms trafficking and terrorism.
Following the judgment, residents commended the DSS for its efforts in combating terrorism and organized cross-border crime.
They urged the agency to sustain its operations against criminal networks threatening national security.
The residents also called on relevant security agencies and justice-sector institutions to ensure the speedy handling of cases involving terrorism and other serious security offences.
