A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his role in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho convicted Yarima on a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

The court sentenced the convict to death by hanging on the count relating to his participation in the 2015 Maiduguri attack. Justice Omotosho also imposed a life sentence on count six after finding him guilty of receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for terrorist acts.

In addition, the court sentenced Yarima to 35 years imprisonment on count one, 30 years on count five, and 10 years each on counts two, three and four.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government arraigned Yarima in the case marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026. The seven-count charge was filed on May 29 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

According to the prosecution, Yarima, a resident of Lawanti Area in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, was a member of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest.

The prosecution further alleged that he accepted the “Da’awah” of the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, an offence punishable under Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

On count six, the court held that Yarima prepared for acts of terrorism by travelling to an Arab country where he received training in arms and weapon handling, contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The death sentence stemmed from his conviction on count seven, which accused him of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, an offence punishable under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The trial, which began at Kainji in Niger State, was later concluded at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

No fewer than 11 family members of suspected Boko Haram fighters, comprising five women and six children, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the surrender took place at about 6:00pm. on June 24, 2026, at separate locations in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of the state.

Makama said four women and four children from Chongolo village voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, while another woman and two children from Ladantar surrendered to troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction.

The report stated that preliminary profiling conducted by the military indicated that the 11 individuals are family members of suspected Boko Haram fighters who reportedly fled insurgent enclaves in search of safety.

“Preliminary profiling revealed that all 11 individuals are family members of Boko Haram terrorists who fled insurgent enclaves in search of safety,” he said.

According to the report, after documentation and profiling by the troops, the surrendered individuals were handed over to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Bama for further processing and rehabilitation in line with established procedures.

Makama further disclosed that the surrender forms part of what military sources described as the continuing wave of defections from terrorist enclaves amid sustained military operations under Operation Hadin Kai.

The report added that troops remain on alert across the theatre of operations as counter-insurgency efforts continue in the North-East.

Two police officers have been killed during a security operation that led to the rescue of nine kidnapped victims in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State Police Command said the victims were rescued after security operatives responded to intelligence reports that armed bandits had abducted several farmers in Unguwan Sa’idu village on June 24.

 According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, police personnel, including operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Kaduna Vigilance Service, were mobilised to the area, where they engaged the bandits in a gun battle. 

The superior firepower of the security team forced the bandits to flee into nearby bushes, abandoning their captives. 

The operatives subsequently rescued nine victims, who were found tied up and left behind by the attackers.

 However, tragedy struck as the security team returned from the operation.

 The officers were ambushed by suspected bandits who had laid in wait along the route,two policemen sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died in the line of duty. 

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commiserated with the families and colleagues of the slain officers, describing them as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation. 

The police said investigation and tactical operations were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack.