Katsina arms traffickers bag 20-year jail term

Two arms traffickers prosecuted for terrorism-related offences have been sentenced to over 20 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Katsina.

The Nigeria Police Force disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu.

According to the statement, the convicts, Abdussalam Muhammad and Aminu Mamman, were arrested by operatives of the Katsina State Police Command in September 2025 along the Ingawa–Karkarku Road while transporting a cache of prohibited firearms and ammunition allegedly meant for criminal elements.

Iniedu said exhibits recovered from the suspects included one PKT machine gun, 230 rounds of PKT ammunition, 1,663 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm AK-47 ammunition and the vehicle used to transport the weapons.

“Following comprehensive investigations, the suspects were charged before the Federal High Court, Katsina Judicial Division, in Charge No. FHC/KT/84C/2025 on 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, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.

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“After a full trial during which the prosecution presented witnesses and tendered documentary and material exhibits, both suspects were found guilty on all counts.

“The court consequently sentenced each convict to five years imprisonment on count one and 20 years imprisonment on each of counts two to five,” the statement said.

Commending the investigators and prosecution team, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the successful prosecution demonstrated the Force’s resolve to combat terrorism and arms trafficking.

“He reiterates the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to combating terrorism, disrupting the illicit proliferation of arms, and ensuring that all persons involved in acts threatening Nigeria’s national security are brought to justice,” the statement said.