Federal High Court Sentences Three to Life 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 finding Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar, guilty on terrorism-related charges connected to the school abduction.

The judge ordered that the life sentence should take effect from the date of the convicts’ arrest, according to Channels Television.

The three defendants were arraigned by the Federal Government on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.

According to the prosecution, the defendants were members of Darul Salam, a group identified as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist organisation proscribed in Nigeria.

The government alleged that the trio, 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 facilitate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

Prosecutors also accused them of withholding information about the identities and activities of those who planned and executed the attack despite being aware of the operation.

During the trial, the defendants admitted concealing information about those behind the school kidnapping and acknowledged being members of Darul Salam.

All three pleaded guilty to counts four and six of the charge, while Umar also admitted to additional counts relating to providing training and instructions to members of the group through a WhatsApp platform known as “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges.

Following the guilty pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who led the prosecution team, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants on the counts to which they had admitted guilt.

Counsel for the defendants appealed for leniency, describing them as first-time offenders who had shown remorse by pleading guilty.

The defence argued that the offences they admitted were not directly connected to carrying out the abduction itself. Counsel also urged the court to consider their personal circumstances, noting that they were married with children and had elderly parents who depended on them for support.

The lawyer pleaded with the court to give them another opportunity to rebuild their lives.

In response, the prosecution maintained that the defendants had prior knowledge of those responsible for the attack and failed in their civic duty by withholding the information from security agencies.

The Federal Government argued that their actions contravened provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including sections relating to conspiracy, aiding terrorism, concealment of terrorist activities and membership of a proscribed organisation.

After considering the submissions of both parties, Justice Ibrahim convicted the defendants and sentenced each of them to life imprisonment.

The case stemmed from the May 15 attack on Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted 46 people, including 39 pupils and seven teachers.

During the attack, the Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape, while a Mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later murdered by his captors.

The remaining victims regained their freedom on July 10 after an intelligence-led military operation targeted the kidnappers’ hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park.

Following the rescue, the Nigerian Army announced that 44 pupils and teachers had been freed, while eight suspected members of the kidnapping gang were arrested.

The Presidency also confirmed that no ransom was paid and no concessions were granted to the kidnappers, who had demanded N1 billion and the release of one of their detained commanders.

After the successful rescue operation, the Federal Government filed a 10-count charge against the three defendants, accusing them of terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.