FG Arraigns Five Over Alleged Plot To Supply Rifles To Boko Haram

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 Boko Haram member operating in Niger State.

Naija News reports that the defendants are 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.

They were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on terrorism-related offences, unlawful possession of firearms and providing support to a terrorist organisation.

The charge was filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the prosecution team alongside M.A. Oladunjoye on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) 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 assist a terrorist by playing different roles in the transportation of 15 AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

The weapons were allegedly moved from the Diffa Region of the Republic of Niger into Nigeria.

Prosecutors alleged that the 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 supporting acts of terrorism by facilitating the movement of the weapons and ammunition on behalf of the alleged terrorist operative.

The alleged offences were 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 unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The prosecution alleged that the trio was arrested on April 24, 2026, at the Kwangila area along the Kano-Kaduna Expressway in Zaria, Kaduna State, while transporting the weapons.

According to the charge, the 15 AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of ammunition were concealed in sacks containing dried fish and loaded into a blue Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle with 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 contained a separate allegation against the first defendant, Yusuf Muhammad.

Prosecutors alleged that between February 2025 and April 2026, Yusuf had information that could have assisted security agencies in apprehending and prosecuting Malam Ahmad, who was described as a known terrorist hiding in Gandu Forest, Borgu LGA of Niger State.

The government 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 filed before the court, the prosecution listed confessional statements, attestation forms, investigators’ reports and other documents it intends to rely on during trial.

The prosecution also said it would call investigating officers and other witnesses to establish the allegations.

A case summary filed before the court stated that the defendants were arrested following intelligence reports on an alleged plan to transport weapons from the Republic of Niger to a terrorist enclave in Borgu LGA.

According to the prosecution, investigations revealed that the second and third defendants received the weapons consignment in Diffa Region and were intercepted while transporting the arms towards Nigeria.

The government further alleged that the first and fourth defendants travelled from Borgu to Zaria on the instruction of Malam Ahmad to receive the consignment from the couriers and facilitate delivery to the alleged terrorist operative in a forest within Borgu LGA.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.