Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a female gunrunner, Halima Haliru, to 20 years imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences.
Haliru was arrested in Plateau State by operatives of the Department of State Services while allegedly in possession of 302 live rounds of 7.6 x 39mm ammunition.
The defendant pleaded guilty to counts three and four of a four-count charge filed against her.
Delivering judgment, Justice Yilwa acknowledged the convict’s plea for leniency but stressed the gravity of terrorism-related crimes.
“I have taken judicial notice of the defendant’s plea for mercy during her arraignment. However, I have also taken judicial notice of the offence of terrorism, which is a grievous offence that threatens the peaceful coexistence of citizens,” the judge said.
In reaching her decision, the judge relied on Sections 5 and 7 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 as well as Section 27 of the Firearms Act.
Justice Yilwa sentenced Haliru to 20 years imprisonment on count three and one year imprisonment on count four, with both sentences ordered to run concurrently from the date of her arrest.
The court further directed that after serving her prison term, the convict should be transferred to a rehabilitation facility for deradicalisation before being reintegrated into society.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until 09 July 2026 for continuation of trial on the remaining charges to which the defendant pleaded not guilty.
