Witness reveals how bandit kingpin, Kachalla Halilu, acquired gun truck from Niger Republic

A witness, identified as “ABC,” testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, revealing how notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Halilu procured a gun truck from Niger Republic to facilitate terrorist activities in Nigeria.

Testifying as the first prosecution witness (PW-1), ABC shared the account while being led by Federal Government lawyer David Kaswe during the trial of four suspects allegedly linked to the fugitive bandit leader, Bello Turji, before Justice Emeka Nwite.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspects — Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (aka Doctor), Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma — were arraigned on December 23, 2024, facing an 11-count charge related to terrorism. They pleaded not guilty, and Justice Nwite ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre, rejecting their bail applications to ensure an expedited trial.

To protect witnesses, the court granted the prosecution’s request to allow witnesses to testify using pseudonyms.
The charges, filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)’s office, listed four other suspects, including Bello Turji, who remain at large. Prosecutors accused the defendants of aiding terrorist groups by supplying weapons, military gear, and provisions to camps across Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna states between 2018 and 2022.

In one charge, the prosecution alleged that Kamarawa, along with two suspects still at large, acquired a military-grade gun truck from Libya, later delivering it to Halilu for ₦28.5 million, paid partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer. The offense violates sections of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

During his testimony, ABC, speaking through an interpreter, recounted how he accompanied Kamarawa on various trips, unaware of the full extent of their dealings.
“Sometimes between 2021 and 2022, Musa is my childhood friend.

He called me on the phone and told me that he wants me to accompany him to Kano for the wedding fathia (ceremony) of the daughter of DSS director of Sokoto Command,” the witness said.
ABC described a series of travels through Sokoto, Katsina, and Kano, with unexpected detours to meet Halilu in a forest.
“Musa told Sani to stop since he is the one driving. We were there for some time when Kachalla came out from the forest with his boys,” he testified.

The witness recounted how Halilu’s men, heavily armed, celebrated the gun truck’s arrival with gunfire.
“They started shooting guns, that their car has arrived,” he said, adding that Halilu posed for photos with the vehicle.
The court heard that after purchasing the gun truck in Niger Republic, Musa and his associates arranged its delivery to Nigeria, navigating military checkpoints and paying bribes along the way.

The witness detailed Musa’s attempts to convert cash into CFA francs, travel to Cotonou, and negotiate car deals before arranging the purchase of the gun truck.

The prosecution emphasized that these actions were part of a broader pattern of material support for terrorist groups, citing Musa’s logistical coordination and direct ties to Halilu.
Justice Nwite adjourned the trial for cross-examination and further proceedings, scheduled for May 23 and May 26.