Court sentences three to life imprisonment over Oyo school kidnapping

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentence after the convicts pleaded guilty to key terrorism-related offences brought against them by the Federal Government.

The convicted men are Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar.

They were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.

During proceedings, the three admitted concealing information about those behind the school abduction. They also confessed to belonging to Darul Salam, which prosecutors identified as an affiliate of the banned terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).

While all three defendants pleaded guilty to counts four and six, Umar separately admitted guilt to counts seven, eight, nine and 10. The additional charges accused him of providing terrorist training and instructions through a WhatsApp group known as The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.

The defendants, however, denied the remaining charges.

Following their guilty pleas, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to convict and sentence them on the counts to which they admitted guilt.

The court subsequently sentenced the trio to life imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, the convicts, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The Federal Government further alleged that they aided the kidnapping operation and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.

Prosecutors also told the court that the defendants confessed on or about June 2 to being members of the proscribed terrorist group, an offence under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.