Arms courier, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, gets death sentence in Katsina

The Katsina State High Court 3 on Monday sentenced a female arms courier, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism. Investigation by The PUNCH revealed that the conviction marks the second death sentence secured by the Department of State Services for terrorism-related cases in June. A staff of the state Ministry of Justice familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent on Tuesday that Mukhtar was arrested by operatives of the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to one Ado, a notorious bandit kingpin said to be operating in the Dunburum Forest area of Zamfara State. “Yes, her name is Hauwa’u, and she was arrested with 430 bullets she transported to bandits in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State and was arrested in 2023. During interrogation, she confessed. “It was the DSS that arrested her, and Barrister Abubakar is the DSS Chief Prosecutor who prosecuted her up to yesterday’s judgment before Justice Abbas Bawale of High Court 3, Katsina, and he sentenced her to death by hanging for a two-count charge. Related News Tinubu warns criminals after troops kill Kogi bandit leader Four farmers killed, 12 abducted in fresh Sokoto attack 150 terrorists convicted in 48 hours, says AGF “The convict, in her statement, mentioned so many bandit leaders she was dealing with after her divorce, as her new boyfriend connected her with the bandits to supply them with logistics worth hundreds of thousands of Naira,” the source stated. The DSS arraigned the suspect on a two-count charge before High Court No. 3 in Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale. According to the sources, the court, after considering the evidence presented, witness testimonies, exhibits tendered and final addresses by both the prosecution and defence counsel, held that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court subsequently found Mukhtar guilty on both counts and sentenced her to death by hanging in line with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021. The source further noted that successful prosecution is a significant milestone for the DSS, demonstrating its capacity to not only intercept criminal actors but to follow through with decisive legal action that results in landmark convictions. Esha Aliku

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