2 Fulani Herdsmen jailed for 20 years over illegal possession of firearms

A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba on Monday sentenced two Fulani herdsmen, Hassan Abidu and Yakubu Salem, suspected to be members of a group of armed nomads terrorizing indigenes of the state  especially farmers, to 20 years in jail with hard labour.

The court pronounced the verdict on the two Fulani nomads on a two count charge of unlawful possession of firearms preferred against them by the Attorney-General of Delta State, Peter Mrakpor and punishable under section 3(1) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provisions) Act Laws of the Federation Republic of Nigeria 2010.

Two convicts were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each with hard labour and without an option of fine.

According to the prosecution, on or about the 23rd day of February, 2015 at about 0600 hours, the Ibusa Police Division, in Oshimili North council area of the state, received a distress call that a group of suspected Fulani boys numbering about six were sighted around Power Line, in the community armed with dangerous weapons including firearms.

A team of Anti-Robbery Squad which responded to the distress call later arrested Hassan Abidu and Yakubu Salem in possession of two single barrel guns without license which they claimed they used for hunting. They also claimed that they did not know that it was an offense to carry arms without license.