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Court Sentences Three to Life Imprisonment Over Oyo School Kidnapping
Court Sentences Three to Life Imprisonment Over Oyo School Kidnapping
Justice Salim Ibrahim also sentenced one convict to 20 years in a separate terrorism charge, with trial continuing on remaining counts.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentences on Thursday after the defendants pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related charges brought against them by the Federal Government under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The three convicts are 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. All three men are from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, and their arrest followed intelligence-led investigations by the Department of State Services.
The defendants were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining. The Federal Government alleged that between January and May 2026, the defendants conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA, Oyo State. Prosecutors also accused them of aiding the abduction by concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds, despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
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The three defendants pleaded guilty to counts four and six of the charge. Count four related to the concealment of information about the terrorists who masterminded the school kidnapping, while count six addressed their membership of Darul Salam, described by the prosecution as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) , a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria. The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, separately pleaded guilty to counts seven, eight, nine, and ten. These additional charges alleged that he provided training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” , incited members to commit acts of terrorism through the same platform, and engaged in illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja LGA between 2024 and 2026.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who led the prosecution, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants on the counts to which they had pleaded guilty. Justice Ibrahim convicted the three defendants and sentenced each to life imprisonment. According to reports, the judge also sentenced Umar to a 20-year imprisonment on count eight. The sentences are to take effect from the date of their arrest.
The abduction that led to these convictions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. In total, 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. The tragedy was compounded by the loss of two teachers: Mr Joel Adesiyan was killed while attempting to escape, and Mr Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by the kidnappers. The victims regained their freedom on July 10, 2026, after spending 56 days in captivity following a military operation. The Presidency stated that no ransom was paid and no concessions were made to the terrorists to secure the release of the victims.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts against them, and Justice Ibrahim has adjourned the matter to September 16 and 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial on those outstanding charges.
Court Sentences Three to Life Imprisonment Over Oyo School Kidnapping
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Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja
ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a man accused of impersonating a permanent secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) after he was allegedly caught using a forged number plate bearing the inscription “PRESIDENCY”.
The suspect was arrested on October 20, 2026, after police operatives intercepted a Lexus LX570 sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Maitama District, Abuja, at about 8pm.
According to the police, the concealed number plate carried the registration number 10B218 FG.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the documents presented to support the registration were allegedly forged.
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Adeh said the suspect had claimed to be the legitimate holder of the number plate, prompting further investigations that reportedly uncovered the alleged fraud and impersonation.
“The vehicle and its occupant were promptly arrested for investigation and subsequent prosecution,” the police said.
The command added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be charged to court upon their conclusion.
The police urged residents to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security operatives and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The arrest comes amid concerns over the unauthorised use of official government and diplomatic number plates in the FCT. Police authorities have previously raised concerns that such plates could be used by unauthorised individuals to evade scrutiny or facilitate criminal activities.
The suspect’s identity has not been publicly disclosed, and the allegations remain subject to the outcome of the police investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.
Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja
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Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage
Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage
Accra, Ghana — A routine breakup escalated into a catastrophic act of arson this week, leaving a young man homeless and his former girlfriend in police custody. The Ghana Police Service has arrested a young woman accused of deliberately setting her boyfriend’s rented apartment on fire after he ended their relationship. The shocking trigger for the split? The woman had answered a phone call on his mobile device without his permission.
According to preliminary police investigations, the couple became embroiled in a volatile and heated argument over the breach of privacy. The confrontation spiraled rapidly out of control when the boyfriend, reportedly furious that she had answered his phone, decided to end the relationship on the spot. Rather than accepting the breakup, the woman’s anger reportedly boiled over into a dangerous and premeditated rage.
In the aftermath of the breakup, authorities allege that the woman intentionally ignited a fire inside the man’s rented home in an act of vengeance. Eyewitnesses described a scene of sheer chaos as flames rapidly consumed the residence, forcing neighbors to flee and local fire services to be summoned to battle the inferno. Dramatic images from the scene reveal a landscape of utter devastation, with the apartment reduced to a pile of charred debris and twisted metal. While no casualties have been reported, the property damage is extensive, and the young man has effectively lost his home and belongings.
The Ghana Police Service acted swiftly following the incident, apprehending the young woman who is now in police custody facing potential charges of arson and destruction of property. Local neighbors have expressed profound shock at the severity of the attack, with one bewildered resident telling reporters, “It is just a phone call. To burn down a whole apartment because you were broken up with? It is a very sad day for us here.” The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days as the police finalize their case, serving as a chilling reminder of the dangerous consequences of unchecked anger.
Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage
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Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City
Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City
SOKOTO — In a gruesome escalation of insecurity in the North-West, armed bandits have reportedly intercepted a vehicle and killed all passengers on board along a road leading to the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to reports, the tragic incident occurred as the vehicle, a commercial transport conveying passengers, was returning from Sokoto city. The assailants, described as heavily armed, ambushed the vehicle, forcing it to a halt before opening fire on the occupants.
The incident was disclosed by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, who shared information about the attack and photographs of some of the deceased . According to the report, some of the victims were reportedly among the 3,000 people recruited by the Sokoto State Government who had been invited to Sokoto city for further screening and the collection of their documents . The passengers were said to have been travelling back home when the armed men intercepted their vehicle and opened fire on them.
The exact number of people killed in the attack has yet to be confirmed, and there has been no official confirmation from Nigerian authorities as of the time of reporting . Although photographs of some of the deceased have circulated following the incident, the total number of victims and their identities have yet to be independently established .
The attack highlights the persistent security challenges plaguing the region, where bandits frequently target highways and rural communities. Isa Local Government Area, which shares a border with Zamfara State, has been a notorious flashpoint for such criminal activities, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and highway ambushes.
The reported killing also comes amid continuing concerns over attacks on civilians in other parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by insurgency and banditry . Residents of the affected area have expressed deep grief and outrage over the continuous loss of lives, urging security agencies to intensify patrols along the Sokoto-Isa road and other vulnerable routes.
When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer promised to provide details of the incident, stating that operatives have been deployed to the area to ascertain the facts and restore normalcy.
The mass killing underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect travelers and rural dwellers in Sokoto State and the broader North-West region. NewsTrends will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City
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