Jigawa Court Sentences Two Kidnappers To D3ath By Hanging For Abduction And M8rder

Two kidnappers, Sani Mohammed and Babannan Saleh (also known as Ustaz), were found guilty of kidnapping, robbery, and criminal conspiracy and were sentenced to death by hanging by Jigawa State High Court No. 8.

Saleh and Mohammed were found guilty of several high-profile crimes, such as the murder of Mr. Eze Virginus Emmanuel in Kano State, the kidnapping of Hamidan Abdu in Ringim Local Government Area, and the murder of one Ahmed Nadabo.

The offenders were sentenced after Justice Mohammed Kaugama, who delivered the decision on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, decided that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The convicts are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the offence of abduction,” stated Justice Kaugama, referring to Section 27 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 2 of Jigawa State, 2021.

“The sentences for robbery and criminal conspiracy will also be served concurrently with life imprisonment and three years, respectively,” he added.

“In one instance, the convicts abducted Hamidan Abdu from Shangel Village in Ringim Local Government Area, robbing him of an unspecified amount and demanding a ransom of N20 million.

“They were also involved in the abduction of Mr. Eze Viginus Emmanuel from his shop in Kore Village, Danbatta Local Government Area, Kano State, where they received a ransom of N14.65 million before releasing him,” he said.

In a separate case involving Babannan Saleh, the court heard evidence from ten witnesses.

Saleh was found guilty of abduction, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and trespassing.

He received the death penalty for kidnapping and culpable homicide, as well as 10- and three-year prison sentences for the remaining offenses.

The convicts were tied to a series of kidnappings throughout the region.

According to Abbas Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa Judiciary, the convicted were involved in several high-profile crimes.

Additional charges were brought against Babannan Saleh (also known as Ustaz) for his involvement in an abduction and murder case.

He was found guilty of kidnapping Abdullahi Jarma from Jigawa State’s Maigatari Town and requesting N100 million in ransom.

Following protracted talks, the family of Abdullahi Jarma paid N2.5 million, which Ahmed Nadabo then gave to the kidnappers, Wangara stated.

“Tragically, the kidnappers shot and killed Nadabo during the ransom exchange,” he added.

Saleh was also convicted of kidnapping Alhaji Kabiru Taura from Taura Town, Jigawa State, and demanding N20 million in exchange for his release.