Chinese national and 18 others jailed over terrorism in Kebbi

A Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced three men, including Chinese national Ripin Liu, to prison for terrorism-related offences and unlawful possession of firearms. Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi each received 15-year sentences, while Liu was sentenced to six years.

Delivering judgment, Justice Emmanuel Gakko held that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants provided logistical support to terrorists and conspired to commit terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The court heard that they were intercepted along Yauri Road while travelling in a vehicle allegedly acquired to transport abducted persons to a forest hideout. Liu was arrested with a Beretta pistol. The judge ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government after establishing their connection to the offences.

In separate proceedings, Mohammed Bello Ibrahim, also known as Banki, received four years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine. Abubakar Siddi was sentenced to three years, also without an option of a fine. Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula and Abubakar Usman each received three-year prison terms without an option of a fine.

Buba Alhaji Umaru was sentenced to three years after his arrest in Bagudo Local Government Area. He had allegedly entered Nigeria from a neighbouring country carrying a locally fabricated pistol. John Zweme received two years and six months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma each received two-year sentences with an option of a fine.

The police command also secured convictions against six people for damaging and stealing electricity cables in the Sakaba area of Kebbi State. The defendants, identified as Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu, received prison terms ranging from three to eight years.