A Federal High Court sitting in Katsina State has sentenced a female arms courier, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of conspiracy to commit, aid and abet terrorism.
The conviction marks the second death sentence secured by the Department of State Services (DSS) this month in terrorism-related cases.
Mukhtar was arrested by operatives of the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while allegedly attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to one Ado, described by security sources as a notorious bandit kingpin operating in the Dunburum Forest in Zamfara State.
According to security sources, the DSS arraigned the suspect on a two-count charge before High Court No. 3 in Katsina, presided over by Justice A.B. Bawale.
After reviewing the evidence presented, including witness testimonies, exhibits and final addresses by both prosecution and defence counsel, the court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently found the defendant guilty on both counts.
Justice Bawale thereafter sentenced Mukhtar to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
A security source described the conviction as a significant milestone for the DSS, saying it underscored the agency’s capacity not only to intercept criminal actors but also to ensure successful prosecution leading to landmark convictions.
The latest judgment comes barely two weeks after a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men arrested by the DSS to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed more than 40 lives.
Similarly, about a month ago, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced another female arms courier, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism.
The conviction represented the second successful prosecution of a female arms courier secured by the DSS this year.
