The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the life sentence will take effect from the date the convicts were arrested.
The court found Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar) guilty of offences connected to terrorism and the kidnapping of schoolchildren.
The trio faced a 10-count charge filed by the Federal Government, including terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the prosecution, the defendants are members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the banned terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Musulmina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru). The government alleged that they worked with other suspects between January and May 2026 to facilitate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The defendants were also accused of withholding information about the identities and activities of those behind the attack despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
During the trial, all three admitted concealing information about the perpetrators and acknowledged belonging to Darul Salam. They pleaded guilty to counts four and six of the charge.
Umar further admitted to additional charges relating to providing training and instructions to members of the group through a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” They, however, denied the remaining charges.
Following their guilty pleas, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to convict and sentence them on the offences they admitted.
Defence lawyers appealed for leniency, arguing that the defendants were first-time offenders who had shown remorse by pleading guilty. They also urged the court to consider their family responsibilities, noting that they were married with children and had elderly parents who depended on them.
The prosecution, however, maintained that the convicts knowingly concealed vital information about the kidnapping plot instead of reporting it to security agencies.
After reviewing the evidence and arguments from both sides, Justice Ibrahim convicted the three men and sentenced each of them to life imprisonment.
The kidnapping occurred on May 15 when armed men stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, abducting 46 people, including 39 pupils and seven teachers.
During the attack, Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape, while Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was later murdered by his captors.
The remaining victims were rescued on July 10 during an intelligence-led military operation that targeted the kidnappers’ hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park.
The Nigerian Army said 44 pupils and teachers were rescued alive, while eight suspected gang members were arrested during the operation.
The Presidency also disclosed that no ransom was paid and no concessions were made to the kidnappers, who had demanded ₦1 billion and the release of a detained commander before the rescue mission.
