A High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a woman, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after convicting her of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, following a prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS). The judgement marks the second death sentence secured by the DSS in June in terrorism-related cases.
According to information shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama, Mukhtar was apprehended by DSS operatives on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina while allegedly attempting to deliver 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a suspected bandit leader, Ado, who operates in the Dunburum Forest area of Zamfara State.
Following her arrest, the DSS arraigned her on a two-count charge before High Court No. 3 in Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale.
In delivering judgement, the court held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt after considering witness testimonies, exhibits presented during the trial, and the final submissions of both the prosecution and defence.
Justice Bawale subsequently found Mukhtar guilty on both counts and sentenced her to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, 2021.
The conviction comes shortly after another terrorism-related ruling secured by the DSS. On June 3, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left more than 40 people dead.
Commenting on the latest judgement, a security source described the outcome as a major success for the DSS.
“The successful prosecution is a significant milestone for the DSS, demonstrating its capacity to not only intercept criminal actors but also to follow through with decisive legal action that results in landmark convictions,” the source stated.
In a related development, a Federal High Court in Abuja last month sentenced Halima Haliru Umar to 20 years' imprisonment after convicting her of unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and attempting to provide support for terrorist activities.