Abuja – The FG on Thursday arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged plot to supply weapons and ammunition to a suspected Boko Haram member operating in Niger State.

The defendants — Yusuf Muhammad (also known as Bature), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (also known as Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tukur (also known as Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (also known as Gado Banufe) — were charged with terrorism-related offences, unlawful possession of firearms, and providing support to a terrorist organisation.

The four-count charge was filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who led the prosecution team alongside M.A. Oladunjoye on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The defendants were represented by their counsel, Akilahyel Shetima.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired between April 23 and 24, 2026, to assist a terrorist by facilitating the transportation of 15 AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the Diffa Region of the Republic of Niger into Nigeria.

Prosecutors alleged that the weapons were intended for one Malam Ahmad, described as a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group operating in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Federal Government further accused the defendants of providing support for terrorism by coordinating and facilitating the movement of the weapons and ammunition on behalf of the alleged terrorist operative.

The offences are said to contravene Sections 26(1) and 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Three of the defendants — Goni Ibrahim Bindi, Sani Tukur, and Musa Alhaji Adamu — were specifically accused of unlawfully possessing the firearms and ammunition.

According to the prosecution, the trio was arrested on April 24, 2026, at the Kwangila area along the Kano-Kaduna Expressway in Zaria, Kaduna State, while transporting the weapons.

Investigators alleged that the rifles and ammunition were concealed in sacks containing dried fish and loaded into a blue Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle with Republic of Niger registration number BT 9990 DA, allegedly to avoid detection.

The charge also accused the first defendant, Yusuf Muhammad, of failing to disclose information that could have aided security agencies in apprehending Malam Ahmad, who was alleged to have been hiding in Gandu Forest, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to prosecutors, Yusuf allegedly withheld the information between February 2025 and April 2026, contrary to Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution listed confessional statements, investigators’ reports, attestation forms, and other documentary evidence it intends to rely upon during the trial.

A case summary before the court stated that the defendants were arrested following intelligence reports about an alleged plan to move weapons from the Republic of Niger to a terrorist enclave in Borgu LGA of Niger State.

The prosecution further alleged that the second and third defendants received the weapons consignment in the Diffa Region of Niger Republic, while the first and fourth defendants travelled from Borgu to Zaria on the instructions of Malam Ahmad to receive and facilitate delivery of the arms.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter for trial and to consider issues relating to the defendants’ detention and bail applications.

The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.