A Federal High Court sitting in Kano State has convicted and sentenced a bandit arms courier, Raya Haruna, to ten years imprisonment for transporting arms and ammunition to bandits operating across the state.
The trial judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, delivered the judgment after finding the defendant guilty on a three-count charge bordering on the unlawful transportation of firearms and the provision of logistical support to criminal elements.
The charges were brought under the Firearms Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalize the unlawful possession, movement and supply of firearms, as well as the provision of material support or assistance to terrorist groups and related criminal networks.
Raya Haruna was arrested by security operatives in 2024 during an operation aimed at disrupting the movement of weapons to bandits terrorizing communities in parts of Kano State and neighbouring areas.
Since her arrest, the convict had remained in custody while facing trial before the Federal High Court on allegations linked to the transportation of arms and ammunition for criminal groups.
Delivering judgment, Justice Amobeda held that although the convict may not have directly participated in attacks or pulled the trigger during violent operations, her role as an arms courier significantly aided and sustained the activities of bandits and terrorists.
The judge observed that the transportation of weapons and ammunition serves as a critical link in the chain of terrorist operations, enabling criminal groups to carry out attacks that result in deaths, injuries and widespread destruction.
Justice Amobeda further noted that under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, providing logistics, transportation or any form of material support that facilitates terrorist activities constitutes a serious offence punishable under the law.
He stressed that terrorism continues to pose a grave threat to national security, leading to the destruction of lives and property, while undermining peace and development in affected communities.
The court subsequently sentenced Raya Haruna to ten years imprisonment without the option of fine on each of the three counts, with the sentences to run concurrently from the date of her arrest and detention in 2024.
Justice Amobeda also ordered that the recovered arms and ammunition be handed over to the Department of State Services, DSS, and directed that the convict be enrolled in rehabilitation and reformation programmes during her period of incarceration.
He added that the sentence should serve as a warning to transporters, logistics operators and couriers to conduct their businesses lawfully and avoid involvement in activities that support terrorism and banditry.
