Court remands Nigerien man in Abuja for alleged supply of AK-47 ammunition for terrorism

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday remanded a Nigerien national, Muhammad Ibrahim, over charges of transporting 170 rounds of AK-47 ammunition for terrorist activities in Katsina State.

Judge Salim Ibrahim ordered that Mr Ibrahim be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after he pleaded not guilty to four counts, including terrorism and fraudulent acquisition of a Nigerian identification number – the National Identity Number (NIN).

Mr Ibrahim, who was arrested by the State Services Service (SSS), pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him on Friday. His lawyer, Kauna Penzin, said he was not opposed to the arraignment.

After the defendant entered his plea, prosecution lawyer Abdulazeez Saidu urged the court to remand him pending trial.

Judge Ibrahim adjourned the case until 16 November for the commencement of trial.

Charges

The four counts against Mr Ibrahim include allegations of unlawfully transporting ammunition, providing logistical support to terrorist groups, failing to disclose information about gunrunning activities and fraudulently obtaining a Nigerian identity card.

In the first count, the prosecution alleged that Mr Ibrahim, who resides in Madawa Uwala, near Jihar Tawa School in the Republic of Niger, unlawfully conveyed and delivered 170 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition concealed in a cooler to Imrana Halilu in Dankama village, Katsina State, in February 2025.

The second count accused him of knowingly providing logistical support to terrorist groups by transporting ammunition in furtherance of terrorist activities.

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In the third count, the prosecution alleged that Mr Ibrahim had information about gunrunning activities but failed to disclose it to law enforcement or security officers, despite knowing that the information could assist in the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of those involved.

SSS said the alleged offences were punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The fourth count accused Mr Ibrahim of fraudulently obtaining a Nigerian identity card issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), linked to a National Identification Number (NIN) (71298898372).

The prosecution alleged the particular count four was punishable under Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.