DSS secures death sentence for Sokoto kidnapper

The Department of State Services has secured the conviction and death sentence of Ibrahim Usman, also known as Dan Iyali, over his involvement in the kidnapping and killing of three persons in Sokoto State in September 2023.

Usman was convicted by the High Court of Justice, Sokoto State, sitting in the Sokoto Judicial Division, after facing a four-count charge alongside other suspects who are still at large.

The charges bordered on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, culpable homicide punishable with death, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation.

The case followed the abduction and killing of three persons in Sokoto in September 2023.

The DSS said the prosecution established Usman’s involvement in the offences, leading to his conviction and the death sentence.

Our correspondent could, however, not independently verify details of the judgment as of the time of filing this report.

• 2027: Obi promises transparent fuel subsidy regime
• Soldiers foil abduction attempts, rescue 10 in Zamfara
• Police recover 28 human skulls, bones from Abia forest

The conviction adds to recent death sentences secured by the DSS in Sokoto State.

In June 2026, the Sokoto High Court sentenced three men, Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Sallau, a Nigerien national; Jabbi Alhaji Yalle; and Kabiru Muhammad, to death by hanging over terrorism and arms-proliferation charges.

The three men were arrested by the DSS Counter-Terrorism Unit in June 2025 in connection with alleged cross-border criminal activities involving arms trafficking and terrorism.

Usman’s co-accused in the latest case remain at large, according to the security agency.

The DSS said the latest conviction formed part of its ongoing prosecution of serious criminal cases involving kidnapping, violent crime and other security-related offences.

Nathaniel Shaibu is a correspondent at The PUNCH with three years of professional journalism experience. He covers the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), civil society, religion, and the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development. In addition to his primary beats, Nathaniel also reports on politics, metro, security, and judicial matters, bringing clarity and balance to a wide range of public-interest stories. His work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, strong beat knowledge, and a commitment to accurate, responsible journalism.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.