DSS to Appeal Lenient Sentences for Terrorism Convicts

The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced its intention to appeal the sentences handed down to three men convicted of terrorism-related offenses. The Federal High Court in Kano sentenced Jamilu Ibrahim to 32 years and Rayya Haruna to 10 years in prison.

Additionally, Salihawa Tubali, an 80-year-old village head from the Safana Local Government Area in Katsina State, received a 10-year sentence. The DSS expressed dissatisfaction with these sentences, describing them as inadequate given the gravity of the offenses.

The agency highlighted that Ibrahim and Haruna were arrested following the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including four rocket-propelled grenades and 832 rounds of live ammunition intended for use by bandits. The DSS believes that the sentences do not reflect the seriousness of the crimes, especially when compared to a recent case involving a female arms courier sentenced to death for transporting ammunition.

The DSS plans to explore legal options to ensure that the full weight of the law is applied.