Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: L.Imafidon
Katsina, Nigeria – July 4, 2026 – The Federal High Court sitting in Katsina has sentenced two convicted arms traffickers to more than 20 years' imprisonment each after finding them guilty of terrorism-related offences involving the unlawful possession and transportation of prohibited firearms and ammunition intended for criminal elements.
The judgment followed the successful prosecution of Abdussalam Muhammad and Aminu Mamman, who were arrested by operatives of the Katsina State Police Command in September 2025 along the Ingawa–Karkarku Road in Katsina State. The Nigeria Police Force announced the convictions in a statement issued on Friday, July 3, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, detailing the outcome of the trial.
According to the police, the suspects were intercepted while transporting a large cache of prohibited firearms and ammunition believed to have been destined for criminal groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.
Investigators recovered one PKT machine gun, 230 rounds of PKT ammunition, 1,663 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm AK-47 ammunition and the vehicle allegedly used to transport the weapons. Police described the seizure as one of the significant recoveries recorded during anti-arms trafficking operations in the state.
Following months of investigation, prosecutors arraigned the two men before the Federal High Court, Katsina Judicial Division, in Charge No. FHC/KT/84C/2025, where they faced a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession and transportation of prohibited firearms and ammunition, rendering support to terrorists and acts preparatory to terrorism.
The prosecution told the court that the charges were brought under the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, both of which prescribe severe penalties for offences linked to terrorism financing, illegal arms trafficking and support for violent criminal organisations.
During the trial, the prosecution presented witnesses and tendered documentary and physical exhibits recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest. The court subsequently found both defendants guilty on all five counts after considering the evidence presented.
Delivering judgment, the court sentenced each of the convicts to five years' imprisonment on count one and 20 years' imprisonment on each of counts two to five, reflecting the gravity of offences connected to terrorism and the illegal movement of military-grade weapons.
Although the police statement did not indicate whether the sentences would run concurrently or consecutively, the convictions represent one of the latest successful terrorism-related prosecutions secured by Nigerian authorities in their campaign against illicit arms trafficking.
Reacting to the judgment, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the investigators and prosecution team for securing the convictions, describing the outcome as a demonstration of the Nigeria Police Force's determination to dismantle criminal networks that supply weapons to terrorists and armed groups.
The Inspector-General reaffirmed the Force's commitment to combating terrorism, disrupting the illegal proliferation of firearms and ensuring that individuals whose activities threaten Nigeria's national security are investigated, prosecuted and brought to justice.
Katsina State has remained one of the states most affected by insecurity in north-western Nigeria, where armed bandits, kidnappers and terrorist groups have carried out attacks on rural communities, highways and commercial centres over the past several years.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned that illegal arms trafficking continues to fuel violence across the region by providing sophisticated weapons to criminal organisations involved in kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling and terrorist activities.
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms through intelligence-led operations, improved border surveillance and coordinated enforcement involving the Nigeria Police Force, the military, the Department of State Services and other security agencies.
Security analysts say successful prosecutions such as the Katsina case are expected to strengthen deterrence by demonstrating that individuals involved in supplying weapons to terrorists and other violent criminal groups will face the full weight of the law.
Authorities have reaffirmed that investigations into illegal arms supply networks will continue, with security agencies maintaining surveillance and intelligence operations aimed at dismantling trafficking routes and preventing prohibited weapons from reaching criminal organisations operating across Nigeria.
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