Usman Abubakar has been found guilty by the Department of State Services (DSS), Niger State Command, for the illegal possession of firearms. He was brought before the Minna Chief Magistrate Court 1 on Wednesday, January 3rd, facing charges of possessing an automatic pump-action gun and four live cartridges without the necessary permit.
The DSS operatives presented the suspect in court, and he was arraigned by Malam Abdulmalik Sani, the head of the Legal Unit of the Command. The First Information Report (FIR) presented in court detailed that Abubakar had two magnum pump-action rifles without lawful permits, concealed in a bag.
According to the FIR, Abubakar was apprehended by a joint patrol team along Minna-Paiko road, accompanied by his brother who managed to evade arrest. The FIR outlined that the crime committed violated sections 9 (1) and (2), punishable under Section 27 (I) (b) (111) of the Firearms Act Cap F28.
During interrogation, Abubakar admitted to purchasing the gun in Nasarawa State for N600,000, citing self-defense against armed banditry attacks in their community. In pleading for leniency, the defendant argued that he acquired the firearm to protect himself.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Umma Mohammed, convicted Abubakar but deferred sentencing until January 17.
