A Sokoto State High Court has sentenced three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to death by hanging following their conviction for armed robbery and culpable homicide. The verdict was delivered by Justice Kabiru Muhammad on October 22, 2026, in a case involving Gaji Hassan, Abdullahi Goni Gudusu, and Modu Bukar.

The court found the defendants guilty of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide in connection with an incident that occurred on September 19, 2024, in Kagara village, located in the Goronyo Local Government Area. According to reports from both Linda Ikeji's Blog and DailyPost, the men were armed with rifles when they intercepted Babangida Nasiru and a female companion, taking them into the bush.

During the robbery, the convicts allegedly extorted N260,000 from Nasiru. Tragically, he was later discovered dead, with gunshot wounds to his chest and neck. The prosecution presented two witnesses, and the court noted that the testimony of the surviving eyewitness was credible and consistent throughout the trial.

Justice Muhammad dismissed the defendants' claims that they had released Nasiru prior to his death, stating that they failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the circumstances surrounding his demise. The judge referenced the legal principle of "last seen" in his ruling, which supports the notion that the last known individuals with a victim could be held accountable for their fate.

Additionally, the court accepted the confessional statements made by the defendants, ruling that they were given voluntarily. The judge also noted that the allegations of torture made by the convicts were not substantiated, further solidifying the court's decision to convict them.

In his ruling, Justice Muhammad emphasized the gravity of the offenses and imposed the death penalty as mandated by the Sokoto State Penal Code Law of 2019. Each convict was informed of their right to appeal the judgment within 90 days, as stated by the court's Public Relations Officer, Nakwanta Muhammad Garba.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of crime and security in the region, as well as the judiciary's role in addressing such serious offenses.