The Federal Government on Thursday arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in a plot to supply weapons and ammunition to a suspected member of the Boko Haram terrorist group operating in Niger State.
The defendants, Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Bature; Goni Ibrahim Bindi, also known as Goni Mutuwa; Sani Tukur, also known as Danladi; Mubarak Ibrahim; and Musa Alhaji Adamu, also known as Gado Banufe, were charged with terrorism-related offences, unlawful possession of firearms, and providing support to a terrorist organisation.
The four-count charge was filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the prosecution team alongside M. A. Oladunjoye on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were represented by their counsel, Akilahyel Shetima.
According to the charge, the Federal Government alleged that the defendants conspired between April 23 and 24, 2026, to render assistance to a terrorist by agreeing and intentionally playing various roles in the transportation of fifteen AK-103 rifles and about 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the Diffa Region of the Republic of Niger into Nigeria.
Prosecutors alleged that the weapons consignment was meant for one Malam Ahmad, described in the charge as a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The government further accused the defendants of providing support for the commission of acts of terrorism by facilitating the movement of the weapons and ammunition on behalf of the alleged terrorist operative.
The offences are said to contravene Sections 26(1) and 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In one of the counts, three of the defendants — Goni Ibrahim Bindi, Sani Tukur and Musa Alhaji Adamu — were specifically accused of illegally possessing the firearms and ammunition.
According to the charge, the trio was allegedly arrested on April 24, 2026, at Kwangila area along the Kano-Kaduna Expressway in Zaria, Kaduna State, while transporting the weapons.
The prosecution alleged that the fifteen AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of ammunition were carefully concealed in sacks containing dried fish and loaded into a blue Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle bearing Republic of Niger registration number BT 9990 DA.
The Federal Government alleged that the concealment was intended to evade detection while the arms were being moved from the Republic of Niger into Nigeria.
The charge also contains a separate allegation against the first defendant, Yusuf Muhammad.
According to prosecutors, Yusuf, between February 2025 and April 2026, had information that could have materially assisted security agencies in apprehending and prosecuting Malam Ahmad, who was described as a known terrorist allegedly hiding in Gandu Forest in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The government, however, alleged that he failed to disclose the information to law enforcement and security agencies, contrary to Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the proof of evidence accompanying the charge, the prosecution listed confessional statements of the defendants, attestation forms, investigators’ reports and other documents it intends to rely upon during trial.
The prosecution also indicated its intention to call investigating officers and other witnesses as may be necessary to establish the allegations against the defendants.
A case summary filed before the court stated that the defendants were arrested following intelligence reports regarding an alleged plan to transport weapons from the Republic of Niger to a terrorist enclave in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to the prosecution, investigations revealed that the second and third defendants received the weapons consignment in the Diffa Region of Niger Republic and were intercepted while transporting the arms towards Nigeria.
The government further alleged that the first and fourth defendants had travelled from Borgu to Zaria on the instructions of Malam Ahmad to receive the consignment from the couriers and facilitate its delivery to the alleged terrorist operative in a forest within Borgu LGA.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their arraignment, the matter was adjourned for trial while the court considered issues relating to their continued detention and bail applications.
The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
