Abuja: The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram terrorist, Auwalu Samaila, to death by hanging. This ruling was delivered by Justice James Omotosho after Samaila pleaded guilty to the six charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the charges, marked as FHC/KNJ/CR/122/2026, were filed by the Federal Government against Samaila for terrorism-related offences. Samaila, from Gulak Village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, admitted to being a member of the proscribed terrorist organization, Boko Haram, between 2012 and 2017. He further confessed to receiving training in terrorist activities and weapon handling under the leadership of Boko Haram members.
Samaila’s involvement in various deadly attacks was detailed in the charges. He participated in assaults on civilians and military personnel in Damboa, Borno, and was involved in attacks at Gombi and Hong in Adamawa, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. These actions were found to be in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
The prosecution, led by Jemila Ade, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, presented Samaila’s confessional statement as evidence. Samaila admitted to transporting female suicide bombers to target locations and taking part in numerous attacks across Nigeria, including in Mubi, Chibok, and Damaturu. He also recounted an injury during a military confrontation in Konduga, which resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
Justice Omotosho sentenced Samaila to death by hanging for his roles in counts four, five, and six. Additionally, he was given jail terms of 25 years for each of counts one and two, and 30 years for count three.
In related cases, Justice Omotosho also sentenced two other Boko Haram members, Shura Abdullahi and Abdulrahman Ari, to life imprisonment. Three more individuals, Aisami Kadi, Umaru Usman, and Abdulrahman Hassan, were given varying jail terms ranging from 20 to 21 years for their involvement in terrorism-related activities.