The Department of State Services (DSS) has secured the conviction and death sentence of Ibrahim Usman, also known as Dan Iyali, for his involvement in the kidnapping and killing of three persons in Sokoto State in September 2023. Usman was tried on a four-count charge before the Sokoto High Court, alongside other suspects who are currently at large.
The charges against Usman bordered on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, culpable homicide punishable by death, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation. On September 9, 2023, Usman and his accomplices invaded Bare Village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, shooting sporadically and kidnapping several residents, including Ahmad Alhassan, Umar Usman, Adamu Haliru (Naibi), Alh Sule Muhammad, and Abdulmalik Muazu.
The prosecution established that the victims were taken to Marmaro Forest in Giayawa District, where Usman shot three of them, Alhaji Shuaibu Isah (Sarkin Ruwa), Umar Usman, and Adamu Haliru (Naibi), resulting in their deaths. The suspects also allegedly shot one Ahmad Alhassan in the neck and Abdulmalik Muazu in the groin before abandoning them in the forest. They were subsequently rescued by members of a vigilante group.
Delivering judgment, Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto High Court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He sentenced Ibrahim Usman to life imprisonment for kidnapping and death by hanging for culpable homicide.
Security sources revealed that Usman was arrested at Bare Village, Goronyo LGA, in May 2024. He was arraigned on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and culpable homicide under relevant provisions of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law 2019.
The DSS stated that the conviction is part of its ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals allegedly involved in kidnapping, terrorism-related violence, and other serious security offenses across the country. The Department of State Services has been working to tackle insecurity issues in Nigeria.
The case highlights the severity of kidnapping and violent crimes in Nigeria and the efforts of security agencies to bring perpetrators to justice. Ibrahim Usman's conviction and death sentence serve as a deterrent to potential kidnappers and violent offenders in the country.
Key points
- The Department of State Services secured the conviction and death sentence of Ibrahim Usman for kidnapping and killing three persons in Sokoto State.
- Usman was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and death by hanging for culpable homicide.
- The conviction is part of the DSS's efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in kidnapping and terrorism-related violence.
