A Katsina State High Court has sentenced a woman, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of aiding terrorism through the supply of ammunition to armed bandits operating in Nigeria’s North-West region.
The conviction followed her prosecution on terrorism-related charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) over her alleged role in transporting ammunition intended for a notorious bandit leader.
Justice A. B. Bawale, who presided over the case, held that the prosecution successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt after reviewing evidence and witness testimonies presented before the court.
Mukhtar was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death by hanging under the provisions of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, 2021.
According to details presented during the trial, operatives of the DSS arrested the convict at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while allegedly transporting a large cache of ammunition.
Investigators told the court that she was intercepted with 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition believed to be destined for a bandit commander identified as Ado, who reportedly operates from the Dunburum Forest in neighbouring Zamfara State.
The DSS thereafter arraigned her before the Katsina State High Court on a two-count charge bordering on terrorism and support for terrorist activities.
During the proceedings, prosecutors argued that the ammunition shipment was intended to strengthen the operational capacity of criminal groups responsible for attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes across the region.
After evaluating the evidence and testimonies tendered by the prosecution, the court ruled that the charges had been proven and convicted the defendant accordingly.
The judgment marks one of the latest high-profile convictions linked to the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry and the illegal arms supply network fueling insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.
