Federal Court Sentences Battujo Kingpin's Mother, Sister to 40 Years Prison

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja handed down 40-year prison sentences to Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi—respectively the mother and sister of slain terrorist kingpin Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo—for their involvement in supporting extremist operations. Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa issued the judgment after both women pleaded guilty to multiple charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Three of five counts brought against the two women resulted in convictions. The guilty findings centered on allegations that they furnished material assistance to Battujo's terrorist activities, transmitted information through telephone exchanges, and engaged in aiding and abetting his operations as a bandit leader.

Available sources suggest they obtained funds derived from terrorist proceeds, though whether they possessed full knowledge of such money's source remains disputed across accounts. On 10 June 2026, Nigerian security forces eliminated Battujo himself following his failed attempt at conducting mass abductions targeting examinees taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

This occurred in the vicinity of Iluk, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State. His elimination formed part of broader military campaigns targeting armed groups in Nigeria's northeastern region.

The judgment underscores judicial determination to hold accountable those linked to terrorist networks beyond direct perpetrators. Through prosecution of Battujo's relatives, the Attorney General's office sought to dismantle assistance networks sustaining extremist undertakings.

By convicting family members on grounds of material support provision and information concealment, the court demonstrated application of legal mechanisms now targeting civilian accomplices in cases involving terrorism.