Court Sentences Three Arrested by DSS to 10 Years Imprisonment for Arms Trafficking
The Chief Magistrate Court Grade 1 sitting in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, has delivered a significant verdict, convicting three persons arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for arms trafficking. The convicts, identified as Sakina Garba, Ali Gono, and Ibrahim Abdulrashid, were sentenced to 10 years in prison without the option of a fine, marking a stern judicial response to illegal arms activities.
Arrest and Intelligence Operation
The arrest of the convicts in Taraba State was the result of meticulous intelligence work that uncovered their plans to transport arms and ammunition from Bantaje village in Wukari Local Government Area. Security sources revealed that the suspects intended to deliver these weapons to a bandit kingpin who remains at large, highlighting the dangerous links to ongoing banditry in the region.
According to reports, the suspects were intercepted along the Wukari-Jalingo road, where they had concealed the illicit items in two sacks of food items. Upon inspection, authorities discovered a cache of weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of 7.6mm ammunition, and 105 rounds of 7.82mm ammunition. Additionally, the sacks contained 14 AK-47 rifle magazines, three POS machines, and N200,200 in cash, underscoring the sophisticated nature of the operation.
Separate Case in Abuja
In a related development, a woman named Halima Haliru Umar appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja, where she pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of 302 rounds of live ammunition. DSS operatives had recovered the ammunition from her, and during the court proceedings, they tendered the evidence, along with the investigation report, the defendant's statements, and money recovered from her.
The trial judge, Justice Haywa Joseph Yilwatda, adjourned the matter until May 8, 2025, for sentencing. Earlier, a DSS witness detailed how the suspect was arrested in Plateau State while in possession of the ammunition, which she was allegedly couriering to an individual named Sani, further illustrating the widespread network of arms trafficking.
DSS Efforts Against Banditry and Terrorism
A DSS source emphasized that these operations are part of ongoing efforts to disrupt arms supply chains linked to banditry and terrorism in Nigeria. "The operations underscore the ongoing efforts by the DSS to disrupt arms supply chains linked to banditry and terrorism in Nigeria," the source declared, highlighting the agency's commitment to enhancing national security.
The arrests and subsequent convictions serve as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by illegal arms trafficking in the country. With banditry and terrorism continuing to threaten peace and stability, such judicial actions are crucial in deterring future offenses and protecting communities.
