By David Lawani, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has secured the conviction of a Niger State resident, Muhammad Sani, who was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for concealing information about an alleged notorious bandit and arms supplier, Danranmi.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, handed down the sentence after finding Sani guilty on terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Sani, a resident of Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, was convicted of conspiring to conceal information relating to Danranmi’s alleged involvement in supplying arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating in parts of Niger State and neighbouring communities.
The court also found him guilty of withholding information that could have helped security agencies apprehend the fugitive suspect.
Justice Nwite sentenced the convict to 20 years’ imprisonment on the two counts, without an option of fine, and ordered that the sentence take effect from January 11, 2023, the date of his arrest. He is to serve the jail term at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
According to court records, Sani and the wanted suspect allegedly conspired in January 2023 to conceal information relating to the activities of the bandit network and frustrate efforts by security agencies to track down key members of the criminal group.
Although the prosecution also alleged involvement in arrangements for the purchase of ammunition intended for criminal operations, the court convicted Sani on the counts relating to concealment of information and failure to disclose intelligence capable of leading to the arrest of the suspect.
A security source described the judgment as an important breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle not only armed groups but also the networks that sustain them.
“The conviction is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prosecute those who enable banditry and terrorism financing by withholding useful intelligence around the country.”
