A Minna High Court has convicted and sentenced five persons to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed of High Court No. 4, who held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendants.

The convicts, identified as Mikisal Ibrahim, Abubakar Ibrahim, Anthony Ibrahim, Aliyu Mohammed, and Murtala Junaidu, all residents of Minna, were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and causing grievous hurt.

They were prosecuted by the Attorney General of Niger State through Mohammed Aliyu Kutigi, Esq., under sections 1(1) and 2(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Section 247 of the Penal Code Law, and Cap 94 Laws of Niger State.

According to the prosecution, the convicts, on July 9, 2023, at about 2:15 a.m., stormed the residence of Alhaji Abdulkareem Abdullahi, owner of Talakawa Pharmacy building, in the Tunga area of Minna.

Armed with dangerous weapons, including machetes, cutlasses, and cudgels, they allegedly robbed him of cash amounting to N250,000 and other valuables.

The prosecution further told the court that the robbery operation lasted for more than three hours, during which the attackers held members of the victim’s household hostage.

At the end of the operation, they dispossessed the family of four mobile phones, an HP laptop belonging to the victim’s daughters, and jewellery.

In the course of the trial, four witnesses testified for the prosecution.

They included investigating police officers from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) and the victim’s daughters, who narrated their ordeal before the court.

Delivering a judgment that lasted over two hours, Justice Mohammed said he had carefully examined all the evidence, exhibits, testimonies of witnesses, and statements made by the defendants before the police.

The judge held that all the issues raised by the prosecuting counsel had been resolved in favour of the prosecution and against the defendants.

“Having perused all the evidence, testimonies and witness accounts, including the statements of the defendants before the police, the issues raised are hereby resolved in favour of the prosecution and against the defendants,” he ruled.

Justice Mohammed further stated that the prosecution, led by Mohammed Aliyu Kutigi, had established the offences against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt and consequently found them guilty on all three counts.

“Having resolved the issues raised against the defendants, they are hereby convicted accordingly and sentenced to death by hanging until they are certified dead,” the judge declared.

Security operatives have arrested a suspected informant believed to be working with Boko Haram elements in Niger State.

The arrest was contained in a post shared on X on Tuesday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, troops of the 221 Battalion, working together with personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), carried out the operation under Operation Savannah Shield.

The suspect was picked up around 1:00 p.m. on May 30 in Koro community, Kainji axis of Borgu Local Government Area following credible intelligence on his movements.

Security sources said the suspect was allegedly providing information and support to Boko Haram members and had links to a previous attack in Kwankoso village.

He was also said to have fled the area after the incident, first moving to Shafashi before relocating to Kaoje in Kebbi State, where he was later tracked down to Kainji in Niger State.

“The suspect was arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation and is currently in military custody for further investigation,” a source said.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of his involvement in terrorist activities and to identify possible collaborators.

A man and his wife, identified as Mr Titus Brigade and Mrs Rahab Titus Brigade, as well as one other person, Mrs Laitu Pius, were on Monday, killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia who attacked the Tukur village of Kinat in Mangu Halle District of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.

A youth leader in the attacked community, Markus Lonkat who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat with DAILY POST on Tuesday, said the terrorists attacked the victims on their farm as they were cultivating their land.

“Fulani bandits attacked and killed the victims on their farm on Monday afternoon. Those killed were an elder, Mr. Titus Brigade, and his wife, Mrs. Rahab Titus Brigade, and another woman, Mrs. Laitu Pius. About five other people were injured by the bandits,” Lonkat said.

“To the best of our knowledge, the attack was unprovoked and we wonder why the barbaric act from the Fulani people who have lived with us here in Tukur for several years. 

“We condemn this violence completely and call on security agencies especially the Operation Enduring Peace to be proactive in stamping out these attacks by the Fulani bandits,” he said.

In a related development, the Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Emmanuel Bala Mwolpun, has strongly condemned another attack on Gwomjang Community in Kadunu Ward in Gindiri District of the council by suspected Fulani gunmen on Sunday, 31st May 2026, which claimed the lives of eight residents while about 15 others were injured.

According to the youth leader of the community, Sunday Ezekiel, the attackers invaded the community around 7:30pm, opened fire on residents sporadically before fleeing into the bushes. 

“The assault claimed the lives of eight persons, four women and four men, while 15 others sustained various degrees of injuries. The injured are currently receiving treatment at a clinic near the community,” Ezekiel said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday on his behalf by his Director of Press and Publicity, Jeremiah Dakahap, Mwolpun described the violence as barbaric and inhumane, and vowed that the perpetrators of the dastardly act will be brought to book.

While commiserating with the bereaved families and survivors, Mwolpun urged residents to be proactive about their security and to work closely with security agencies.

“We must not wait for the government alone to come to our rescue. Let us wake up and be our own security. Report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies immediately so that prompt action can be taken,” he said.

He assured that he has directed that the injured victims be immediately taken to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, JUTH, for specialized care while the local government would take full responsibility for their medical bills.