The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their involvement in the kidnapping of school children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentence after convicting Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar, on several terrorism-related charges.
The convicts, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, had been arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
During proceedings, the defendants pleaded guilty to several of the charges, including concealing information about the alleged masterminds of the attack and their membership of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist organisation, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).
The prosecution alleged that between January and May 2026, the defendants conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to abduct school children and teachers in Oyo State, in violation of provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They were also accused of assisting the kidnapping operation and withholding information about those responsible for the crime.
Although the three defendants pleaded guilty to some counts, they denied responsibility for others, including Counts 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Umar, the first defendant, additionally admitted to charges alleging that he provided training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
The prosecution urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants on the counts where guilty pleas were entered, relying on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
However, defence counsel requested that sentencing be delayed until the conclusion of the trial on the remaining disputed charges.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the law required immediate action on counts where the accused persons had admitted guilt.
In delivering judgment, Justice Ibrahim considered evidence presented by the prosecution, including testimony from an investigator of the Department of State Services (DSS), identified by the pseudonym AAA.
The witness told the court that the defendants made voluntary extra-judicial statements in the presence of their lawyer, with the statements electronically recorded, endorsed by the accused persons and their counsel, and admitted as evidence.
Following the review of the evidence, Justice Ibrahim convicted and sentenced the three men to life imprisonment on the counts to which they pleaded guilty.
The court, however, adjourned the matter until September 16 and 17, 2026, for continuation of trial on the remaining charges.
