‎DSS to Appeal Jail Terms for Three Convicted Arms Couriers, Seeks Harsher Punishment

The Department of State Services (DSS) is preparing to challenge the prison sentences handed to three men convicted in separate terrorism-related cases, arguing that the penalties do not reflect the seriousness of their offences.

Security sources disclosed that the Service has concluded plans to appeal the judgments delivered by the Federal High Court in Kano and the Katsina State High Court, insisting that the sentences fall short of serving as an effective deterrent against terrorism and arms trafficking.

‎The Federal High Court in Kano sentenced Jamilu Ibrahim to 32 years’ imprisonment and Rayya Haruna to 10 years in prison, while the Katsina State High Court sentenced Audu Adamu Tubali, the 80-year-old village head of Salihawa in Safana Local Government Area, to 10 years’ imprisonment.

‎According to the DSS, the three convicts were arrested in separate operations that led to the recovery of significant quantities of arms and ammunition allegedly intended for terrorist and bandit groups.

‎Investigators said Ibrahim was apprehended while allegedly transporting weapons to a notorious Katsina-based bandit leader identified as Karami. He was reportedly found in possession of four Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and 832 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition intended for AK-47 rifles.

‎A security source familiar with the matter described the sentences as inadequate, saying they amounted to “a slap on the wrist” considering the gravity of the offences and the potential threat posed by the recovered weapons.

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‎The source pointed to previous convictions in similar cases, including that of Hauwa’u Mukhtar, who was recently sentenced to death by a Federal High Court in Katsina after being convicted of transporting ammunition to a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara State.

‎Mukhtar was arrested by DSS operatives at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while allegedly attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a bandit leader based in the Dunburum Forest area of Zamfara.

‎According to the source, the Service believes that the penalties imposed on Ibrahim, Haruna and Tubali should be comparable to those handed down in similar cases, particularly given the nature and quantity of weapons allegedly recovered from them.

‎”The Service believes in fairness to all and will explore every available legal avenue to ensure that the full weight of the law is applied to anyone found guilty of supporting terrorist or bandit activities, without fear or favour,” the source said.

‎This day report that another security source said the planned appeals form part of the DSS’s broader effort to secure tougher judicial outcomes that would strengthen deterrence against arms trafficking and the supply of weapons to terrorist and bandit networks across Nigeria.‎

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