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