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One of the Boko Haram terrorists who kidnapped chibok schoolgirls has been sentenced to 15 years in jail by a Federal High Court, in Kainji, Niger State.

Haruna Yahaya, who is physically challenged was among 20 members of Boko Haram jailed on Monday. He was found guilty for his role in the  2014 abduction of over 200 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

During the closed trial, the defence counsel asked the court to discharge Yahaya citing his testimony as pathetic. He argued that as recruit he was bound to follow the sect's order or he would have lost his life.

But the Judge, who charged Yahaya under the Terrorism Act of 2011, said his disability could not be used win sympathy, adding that he had a choice not to have taken part in the activities.

The court also sentenced 19 others to between 3 to 5 years jail term. The court, meanwhile discharged a suspect who was pointed out as the sect's provisions supplier.

The suspect explained to the court that he was not aware that the middle aged man he supplied provisions to was a Boko Haram member. 

In a statement by the Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)and Minister for Justice, Othman Salihu Isah, said "about 1, 669 suspects are being held at Wawa Catonment, Kainji, Niger State while the 468 discharged for lack of evidence, would undergo a programme of de-radicalisation at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA)."

The trial continues.