Woman Sentenced to 20 Years for Terrorism Support

Halima Haliru Umar was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja for unlawfully possessing 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to support terrorist activities. Umar pleaded guilty to two counts of a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).

She was arrested on July 7, 2025, in Plateau State while attempting to transport the ammunition. The court found her guilty based on her admission of the facts presented by the prosecution.

Her defense counsel, Hamza Dantani, requested leniency, noting that she is a first-time offender and a nursing mother. Despite this, the court sentenced her to 20 years for the terror support charge and one year for illegal possession of ammunition.

The matter was adjourned until July 9, 2025, for the remaining two counts, to which she pleaded not guilty.