A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a woman, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after convicting her on charges related to terrorism and support for terrorist activities.
The judgment was delivered by Justice A.B. Bawale, who ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mukhtar was accused of being involved in the transportation of ammunition intended for a suspected bandit group operating in the North-West. She was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in September 2023 at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State.
Investigators alleged that she was found in possession of 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, which were reportedly being transported to a suspected bandit leader believed to be operating from a forest hideout in Zamfara State.
The prosecution filed a two-count charge against her, including conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding terrorist activities.
During the trial, the court considered evidence presented by the prosecution, including witness testimonies and exhibits that allegedly connected the defendant to the movement of ammunition for criminal operations.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Bawale found Mukhtar guilty on both counts and imposed the death penalty in line with the provisions of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, 2021.
The conviction represents another step in efforts by security agencies and the judicial system to tackle terrorism, banditry, and the illegal supply of weapons across affected regions.
Security experts have consistently warned that the flow of arms and ammunition remains one of the major drivers of insecurity in parts of the North-West, where armed groups continue to engage in kidnappings, attacks, and other violent crimes.
The ruling follows recent convictions in other terrorism-related cases as authorities intensify measures aimed at disrupting criminal networks and improving security across the country.
