Kogi Court Sentences Kidnapper to Death for Murdering Neighbour After Collecting N2.5m Ransom

A Kogi State High Court has sentenced a convicted kidnapper, Jibrin Halilu, to death for abducting and murdering his neighbour despite collecting a N2.5 million ransom from the victim’s family.

The judgment, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Abdul Nicodemus Awulu, found Halilu guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping under the provisions of the Kogi State Kidnapping and Other Related Offences Prohibition Law, 2023.

The court held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced the defendant to death.

According to evidence presented before the court, Halilu and members of his gang stormed Ever Ready Hotel in Angwa-Tiv, Obajana, on March 23, 2023, and abducted its proprietor, Uche Andrew Offo.

Despite receiving the N2.5 million ransom demanded from the victim’s family, the kidnappers allegedly killed Offo.

The Department of State Services (DSS), which prosecuted the case, told the court that its operatives arrested Halilu on December 4, 2025, following an extensive investigation into the crime.

Investigators reportedly discovered that while in captivity, the victim recognised Halilu as one of his abductors because they were neighbours.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the suspect allegedly decided to eliminate the victim after his identity had been exposed.

“That was when Halilu, despite collecting the N2.5 million ransom paid by Offo’s family, still killed him,” a source close to the investigation disclosed.

Further investigations also linked Halilu and members of his gang to another kidnapping incident involving one Ibrahim Abdullahi, who was abducted from Oshokoshoko Community in Lokoja on April 2, 2023.

The gang was alleged to have collected an additional N5 million ransom in that operation.

The conviction comes amid a series of recent high-profile terrorism and kidnapping-related judgments across the country.

On Tuesday, a Federal High Court sitting in Katsina reportedly sentenced a female arms courier, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after convicting her on terrorism-related offences in a case prosecuted by the DSS.

The Kogi judgment also follows the June 3, 2026 ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which sentenced four men to death for their roles in the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The attack claimed more than 40 lives and left over 100 worshippers injured.

Security sources described the recent convictions as a reflection of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to combat terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

According to one source, the judgments send a strong warning to criminal elements operating across the country.

“These convictions send a clear message that individuals involved in terrorism, kidnapping and armed violence will not only be apprehended but will also face the full weight of the law,” the source said.

The latest ruling is expected to reinforce ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle kidnapping and violent crime, particularly in parts of North Central Nigeria where criminal gangs have continued to target communities, travellers and business owners.