Abuja Court Sentences Boko Haram Member to 30 Years

On October 16, 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Abubakar Goni to 30 years in prison for his membership in the Boko Haram terrorist group, which he admitted to joining over 15 years ago. Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the sentence would be effective from 2016, the year Goni was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Goni, who hails from Daira village in Gubi Local Government Area of Yobe State, faced a five-count charge from the Federal Government, which included accusations of receiving training in the use of AK-47 rifles, attacking civilians, and looting food for Boko Haram members. While Goni admitted to being a member of the group, he denied the other allegations.

His lawyer, Dauda Hassan, requested leniency, arguing that Goni had cooperated with the court. Justice Nyako considered Goni's status as a first-time offender before determining the prison where he would serve his sentence.