The Department of State Services (DSS) has vowed to challenge the prison sentences handed to three men convicted in separate terrorism-related cases, insisting the punishments do not reflect the seriousness of their offences.
Security sources disclosed that the Service is preparing to appeal the judgments delivered by the Federal High Court in Kano and the Katsina State High Court, arguing that the jail terms were too lenient.
A Federal High Court in Kano sentenced Jamilu Ibrahim to 32 years imprisonment and Rayya Haruna to 10 years imprisonment, while the Katsina State High Court sentenced the 80-year-old village head of Salihawa in Safana Local Government Area, Audu Adamu Tubali, to 10 years in prison.
The three convicts were arrested in separate operations by DSS operatives, who recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition allegedly meant for terrorist and bandit groups.
According to security sources, Ibrahim was arrested while allegedly transporting four Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and 832 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition intended for a notorious Katsina-based bandit kingpin identified as Karami.
The DSS reportedly believes the sentences amount to “a slap on the wrist” considering the severity of the crimes and the potential threat posed by the recovered weapons.
The source cited the recent conviction of Hauwa’u Mukhtar, an alleged female arms courier, who was sentenced to death by a Federal High Court in Katsina after she was arrested with 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition allegedly meant for a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara State.
According to the source, the Service believes similar punishment should apply in the cases involving Ibrahim, Haruna and Tubali because the weapons allegedly recovered from them were more dangerous.
“Where the courts have found it fit to impose the maximum penalty in cases involving the transportation of arms to bandit and terrorist networks, the DSS believes that similar treatment should be meted out to Ibrahim, Haruna and Tubali,” the source said.
He added that the Service would pursue every legal option available to ensure that offenders involved in supporting terrorism and banditry face the full weight of the law.
Another security source described the planned appeals as part of the DSS’s broader effort to secure stiffer judicial penalties that would serve as a stronger deterrent against arms trafficking and support for terrorist and bandit networks across the country.
