Sokoto Court Sentences Three to Death Over Terrorism, Arms Trafficking
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
A Sokoto State High Court has sentenced three men, including a foreign national, to death by hanging after convicting them of terrorism and illegal arms trafficking.
The convicted persons Yusuf Muhammad, popularly known as Sallau, a citizen of Niger, as well as Jabbi Alhaji Yalle and Kabiru Muhammad were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services DSS Counter-Terrorism Unit on June 13, 2025.
According to court records, the suspects were apprehended in connection with cross-border criminal activities involving the trafficking of arms and support for terrorist operations.
The trial, filed as case number SS/45C/2026, was presided over by Justice Muhammad Nuraddeen Bello of High Court No. 23, Sokoto.
Delivering judgment, the court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the three defendants guilty on all charges. Justice Bello subsequently sentenced them to death by hanging.
The court also directed that all cash exhibits recovered during the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The ruling marks a major outcome in ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle terrorism networks and curb the proliferation of illegal weapons across Nigeria’s borders.
