Terrorism Trial: Woman Admits Aiding ISWAP In Nasarawa

A woman, Sumaiya Abubakar, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to supporting members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) by keeping arms and ammunition for the group in Nasarawa State.

Abubakar entered the plea before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where she was arraigned by the Federal Government on two counts of terrorism-related offences.

In charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/418/2026, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, accused Abubakar of committing the offence in 2024 at Shinge area of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.

The prosecution alleged that Abubakar, who hails from Shuwari village in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, knowingly rendered support to ISWAP members by helping to keep arms and ammunition.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

When the charges were read to her, Abubakar pleaded not guilty to count one but admitted the offence in count two.

The prosecution counsel, M.A. Oladunjoye, subsequently urged the court to convict her on the count to which she had pleaded guilty and applied to withdraw count one.

The defence counsel, Itodo, did not oppose the application, prompting Justice Salim Ibrahim to strike out the first count.

However, the judge said the prosecution needed to review the facts of the case before the court could convict Abubakar on count two.

Justice Ibrahim adjourned the case until October 14 for the review of facts and ordered that Abubakar be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the next hearing.