The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the 250-day prison sentences handed down to two siblings convicted of unlawfully supplying ammunition to suspected kidnappers and other criminal elements operating in the North-Central region and the Federal Capital Territory.

The civil rights advocacy group described the sentences as too lenient for what it considers a serious terrorism-related offence, warning that such punishment could undermine efforts to curb the supply of weapons to terrorists and other violent criminals.

HURIWA called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), or the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene by reviewing the case and, where legally appropriate, pursuing an appeal to secure stiffer sentences.

The group made the demand after the FCT Police Command announced the conviction of two wanted suspects, Yau Sule and his sister, Mariya Sule, following an intelligence-led operation that resulted in their arrest on June 2, 2026.

According to the police, Yau was arrested while travelling along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. Operatives reportedly recovered 81 rounds of 7.62mm live AK-47 ammunition and 100 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition intended for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).

Further investigation allegedly linked Mariya to the ammunition supply network, leading to her arrest.

The siblings were subsequently arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 1, Dutse-Alhaji, Abuja, in charge number CR/DUT/1132/2026 and convicted for unlawful possession of live ammunition under the Firearms Act.

In separate warrants dated August 24, 2026, the court sentenced each of them to 250 days in prison without an option of fine.

They were ordered to serve their sentences at the Suleja Correctional Centre.

However, HURIWA said the punishment was inadequate given the gravity of the allegations.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the organisation questioned why the case was not taken over by the Federal Attorney-General or the DSS for possible prosecution under Nigeria’s counter-terrorism laws.

HURIWA also criticised the police for publicly celebrating the convictions, arguing that the relatively short sentences did not reflect the seriousness of supplying military-grade ammunition to criminal groups.

The organisation said the case raised questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s criminal justice system in dealing with individuals who allegedly provide weapons that enable terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“Such a short custodial sentence is akin to allowing these collaborators with terrorists to return to society after a brief period and possibly resume their transactions with criminal elements,” Onwubiko said.

He argued that Nigerians who continue to suffer attacks by terrorists and kidnappers deserved a justice system capable of imposing meaningful deterrent sentences on those who facilitate such crimes.

HURIWA urged the relevant authorities to examine the case and take all lawful steps necessary to ensure that the punishment imposed reflects the seriousness of the offence.

The group maintained that anyone found guilty of deliberately supplying ammunition to terrorist or criminal networks should face appropriate sanctions under the law, stressing that weapons suppliers play a critical role in sustaining violent crimes across the country.