Federal Court Jails Battujo Kingpin's Mother and Sister for 40 Years

A Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a 40-year prison sentence to two women convicted of providing material support to a now-deceased terrorist kingpin. Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, the mother and sister respectively of Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, entered guilty pleas to multiple terrorism-related charges brought by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the ruling on Friday. The two women were found culpable on three separate counts out of five charges initially filed against them.

The convictions centre on allegations that they aided and abetted Battujo's terrorist operations, concealed information about his activities, and provided financial assistance linked to his network. According to court records referenced in the sources, one count involved the receipt of 490,300 naira allegedly derived from Battujo's operations.

Another accused count, from which they were acquitted, related to sponsoring religious pilgrimage activities allegedly financed through terrorist proceeds. Battujo himself was eliminated by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, following a failed attempt to carry out a mass abduction and attack targeting students sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

The incident occurred in a forest area near Iluk Kabba in Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The Department of State Services arrested both women as part of the investigation into Battujo's network and financing structure.

The 40-year sentences mark a significant prosecution outcome in Nigeria's ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. Both women pleaded guilty to the charges, a development that allowed the court to proceed swiftly to sentencing rather than conducting a full trial.

The case underscores law enforcement's extended focus on dismantling support networks that sustain terrorist organisations across the country.