Female Arms Courier Sentenced to Death in Katsina Terrorism Case
KATSINA — A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a woman, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after convicting her on charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, in a case prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to security sources, Mukhtar was arrested by the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while allegedly attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to Ado, described as a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara State’s Dunburum Forest.
Sources said the DSS filed a two-count charge against the convict before High Court No. 3 in Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale.
After reviewing the evidence, witness testimonies, exhibits and final addresses by both prosecution and defence counsel, the court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found Mukhtar guilty on both counts.
Justice Bawale subsequently sentenced her to death by hanging in line with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
A security source described the judgment as a major milestone for the DSS, saying it underscored the agency’s ability not only to intercept criminal suspects but also to secure significant convictions through the courts.
The conviction marks the second death sentence secured by the DSS in June.
On June 3, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men arrested by the DSS to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left more than 40 people dead.
The Katsina judgment also follows the earlier conviction of another female arms courier, Halima Haliru Umar, who was sentenced by a Federal High Court in Abuja to 20 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism.
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