The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the sentence would be effective from the date of their arrest, according to Channels TV.
The convicts Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar) were found guilty of terrorism-related offenses and kidnapping. The trio had pleaded guilty to some of the charges but denied others during their trial.
They were arraigned on a 10-count charge that included terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining. The Federal Government accused them of being members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist organization Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru).
Prosecutors said the defendants, all from Suleja Local Government Area in Niger State, conspired with others between January and May 2026 to facilitate the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. They were also accused of concealing information about the masterminds and activities behind the attack.
During the proceedings, the men admitted to hiding information about those responsible and confirmed their membership in Darul Salam. All three pleaded guilty to two counts, while Umar alone admitted to providing training and instructions to group members via a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” They pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, requested sentencing based on the counts to which the men pleaded guilty. Defense counsel appealed for leniency, describing the convicts as first-time offenders who expressed remorse, and asked the court to consider their family responsibilities. The prosecution countered that the men were aware of the attack and failed in their civic duty by not reporting it.
Justice Ibrahim, after considering both arguments, convicted the defendants and imposed life sentences.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when gunmen stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities, kidnapping 46 people—39 pupils and seven teachers. The Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape, and Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was also killed by the kidnappers. The remaining victims were rescued on July 10 in a military operation, with the army arresting eight suspected gang members. The Presidency said no ransom was paid and no concessions were made, despite ransom demands.
Following the rescue, federal authorities filed a 10-count charge against the three men, focusing on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement, and illegal mining.
