Woman Jailed 20 Years For Possessing AK-47 Ammunition, Aiding Terrorism
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a housewife, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and supporting terrorism.
Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment on Friday after the defendant pleaded guilty to two of the four charges filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The court heard that Umar was arrested on July 6, 2025, while allegedly transporting the ammunition and N57,100 cash to bandits operating in Plateau State.
A DSS operative, Fahad Tahir, told the court that the defendant confessed to acting as a courier for the ammunition after being directed by one Alhaji Sani to travel to Zaria, Kaduna State, to collect the items.
The prosecution tendered the ammunition, cash, and the defendant’s confessional statements as exhibits, all of which were admitted without objection.
Justice Yilwa held that terrorism and illegal arms trafficking posed serious threats to national security and public safety, stressing that such offences should not be treated lightly despite the defendant’s remorse.
Umar was convicted for supporting terrorism and unlawful possession of ammunition under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
