The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced three men to life imprisonment over their involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, bringing to a close a terrorism trial arising from one of the country’s most high-profile school kidnappings.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the life sentences should take effect from the date the convicts were arrested.
The three convicts — 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 — had earlier pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences filed against them by the Federal Government.
The defendants admitted concealing information about those alleged to have masterminded the kidnapping of the pupils and teachers, who were abducted in May 2026 in Oriire LGA.
They also pleaded guilty to belonging to Darul Salam, which prosecutors identified as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group, Ansaru.
In addition, Umar and Sani admitted to providing terrorist training and inciting members through a WhatsApp platform named The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace, which prosecutors alleged was used to spread extremist ideology, recruit members and encourage activities linked to the terrorist organisation.
Umar further admitted to illegally mining gold in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State without the required authorisation.
The Federal Government had arraigned the three defendants on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation and illegal mining.
According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired with three other suspects — Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab — between January and May 2026 to facilitate the abduction of the schoolchildren and teachers.
Before sentencing, counsel to the defendants urged the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that the convicts were first-time offenders who had voluntarily pleaded guilty.
The defence also told the court that the three men were married with children and had elderly parents who depended on them, urging the judge to give them “a second chance at life” by imposing a lighter sentence.
The prosecution opposed the plea, maintaining that the convicts knowingly concealed information about those behind the kidnapping instead of reporting it to security agencies, despite being aware of the planned criminal operation.
After considering the submissions of both parties, Justice Ibrahim sentenced the three defendants to life imprisonment, ordering that the jail term should commence from the date of their arrest.
The Oriire school abduction sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools, following the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers by armed men. The case was prosecuted under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
