In a terrorism aiding conviction, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi to 40 years imprisonment each for supporting the operations of slain bandit leader Ibrahim Battujo.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa delivered the ruling after both defendants admitted terrorism-related charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Security forces killed Battujo on June 10, 2026, after he failed in a mass abduction and attack on students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in a forest near Iluke, Kabba/Bunu LGA of Kogi State.
In a terrorism aiding conviction, the court found both women guilty on three counts. They aided Battujo by sharing intelligence through phone calls and handling funds linked to his activities. Safiya Salihu also concealed his movements after visiting his forest camp and seeing weapons, while Halima Abdullahi withheld information that could have led to his arrest. The judge ordered concurrent 20-year terms on each count, totaling 40 years for each convict, followed by rehabilitation after sentence completion.
