Police secure convictions of 19 for terrorism, arms possession, vandalism in Kebbi

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

According to the statement, the convictions were delivered by Justice Emmanuel Gakko of the Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi Judicial Division, following intelligence-led operations across Yauri, Bagudo, Sakaba and other security flashpoints in the state.

The police spokesperson stated that the court sentenced them to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count and ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle to the Federal Government after establishing their connection to the offences.

The command also disclosed that 11 people were convicted of unlawful possession of firearms, with 11 assorted weapons recovered during police operations. The weapons included locally fabricated pistols, a locally made Beretta pistol and dane guns.

Among those convicted was a Chinese national, Ripin Liu, who was arrested with a locally made Beretta pistol and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine.

The statement said Mohammed Bello Ibrahim, also known as Banki, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine, while Abubakar Siddi received a three-year sentence without an option of a fine.

Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula and Abubakar Usman were also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment each without an option of a fine. Buba Alhaji Umaru, who was arrested in Bagudo Local Government Area after allegedly crossing from a neighbouring country with a locally fabricated pistol, also received a three-year sentence.

“John Zweme was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma received two-year sentences each, with an option of a fine,” he stated.

SP Bashir Usman further disclosed that six people were convicted of vandalising and stealing electricity cables in Sakaba Local Government Area, an offence the police said had plunged entire communities into darkness.

The six convicts were identified as Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu. They received prison sentences ranging from three to eight years.

Reacting to the judgment, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, said the convictions demonstrated that criminal activities would have consequences.

“The convictions send an unmistakable message that crime does not pay,” Hadejia said, according to the statement.

“The 17-month journey from arrest to conviction reflects the Command’s refusal to abandon complex cases and its determination to see every prosecution through to a logical conclusion,” the commissioner was quoted as saying.

He urged residents to support the police by reporting suspicious movements and activities in their communities.

“Every credible tip will be acted upon decisively,” he assured the public.