(Mother and Sister of Notorious Bandit. Photo Credit: TVC News)
The mother and sister of infamous bandit boss Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo were sentenced to 40 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Abuja for their support of his terrorist activities.
After being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS), Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi were convicted of supporting and concealing the operations of the late terrorist leader, who was killed by security authorities in Kogi State on June 10, 2026.
After both ladies entered guilty pleas to terrorism-related charges brought by the Federation’s Office of the Attorney General, Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa imposed the sentence on Friday.
The court claims that the two acknowledged helping Battujo by providing him with information over the phone.
They also admitted to hiding important information that would have enabled security services to capture him.
While Battujo’s sister Safiya Salihu said she observed f+rearms while visiting his woodland camp but neglected to notify authorities, his mother Halima Abdullahi entered a guilty plea to concealing information about her son’s actions.
At first, the women were charged with five charges, including accepting sponsorship for the Hajj that was purportedly financed by terrorist money and receiving N490,300 that was thought to be the proceeds of terrorism.
They were released on those charges, though, when the prosecution urged the court to strike out those counts.
On each of the offenses on which they were found guilty, Justice Yilwa sentenced them to 20 years in jail; however, she also mandated that the sentences be served concurrently, so they will serve 20 years in prison prior to receiving rehabilitation.
The decision is yet another significant victory in Nigeria’s continuous struggle against banditry and terrorism.
