The Nigeria Police Force has secured the conviction of two men for terrorism-related offences after they were arrested in a major arms trafficking operation in Katsina State, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and illegal arms proliferation.
According to a statement on Friday by the Force spokesperson, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, 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.
Items recovered from the suspects included one PKT machine gun, 230 rounds of PKT ammunition, 1,663 rounds of 7.62mm × 39mm AK-47 ammunition, as well as the vehicle used to transport the weapons.
Following investigations, the suspects were arraigned 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, providing support to terrorists, and engaging in acts preparatory to terrorism.
The offences were prosecuted under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.
After a full trial, during which the prosecution presented witnesses and tendered documentary and material evidence, the court found both defendants guilty on all five counts.
The court sentenced each convict to five years’ imprisonment on the first count and 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the remaining four counts, amounting to a cumulative sentence of 85 years for each convict.
Reacting to the judgment, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the investigators and prosecution team for their professionalism and diligence, which led to the successful prosecution.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to tackling terrorism, disrupting the illegal proliferation of arms and ammunition, and ensuring that individuals involved in activities threatening Nigeria’s national security are brought to justice.
The conviction is seen as part of the Force’s broader efforts to strengthen the criminal justice system by ensuring that investigations are followed through to successful prosecution and conviction.
