By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

The Kebbi State Police Command has secured the conviction of 19 persons for terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and vandalism of critical national infrastructure following 17 months of investigation and prosecution.

The convictions were delivered by the Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi Judicial Division, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Gakko, after intelligence led operations in Yauri, Bagudo, Sakaba and other security flashpoints across the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman, describing the judgments as a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, illegal arms proliferation and economic sabotage.

Among those convicted were two alleged terrorism kingpins, Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi, who were found guilty on three counts bordering on terrorism, providing logistics to an armed terrorist group and conspiracy to commit terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The duo were reportedly intercepted along Yauri Road while travelling in a vehicle allegedly intended to transport kidnapped victims to a forest hideout. The court sentenced each of them to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count and ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government.

In a separate judgment, 11 persons were convicted of unlawful possession of firearms. Police said 11 assorted weapons were recovered during the operations, including locally fabricated pistols, a locally made Beretta pistol and dane guns. Among the convicts was a Chinese national, identified as Mr Ripin Liu, who was arrested with a locally made Beretta pistol and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.

Mohammed Bello Ibrahim, also known as Banki, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine, while Abubakar Siddi received three years without an option of a fine. Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula, Abubakar Usman and Buba Alhaji Umaru were each sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. John Zweme received two years and six months, with an option of a fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma were each sentenced to two years, with an option of a fine.

The command also secured the conviction of six persons, identified as Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu, for vandalising and stealing electric cables in Sakaba Local Government Area. According to the police, the criminal activities disrupted electricity supply to entire communities, while the convicts received prison sentences ranging from three to eight years.

Reacting to the judgments, the Commissioner of Police, Umar M. Hadejia, said the convictions demonstrated the consequences of criminal activities and reaffirmed the command’s determination to bring offenders to justice. He commended Justice Gakko for his handling of the cases and praised the investigators and prosecuting counsel for their diligence.

Hadejia assured residents that the police would sustain operations against terrorism, illegal arms possession and the destruction of critical infrastructure. He urged members of the public to report suspicious movements and activities, assuring them that credible information would receive prompt attention.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, disrupting criminal networks and ensuring that individuals involved in terrorism and other offences were held accountable under the law.