Kamsi Anayo and Fidelia Soriwei,
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the sentence should take effect from the date of their arrest after convicting 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.
The convicts were among suspects charged by the Federal Government over the May 15 attack on schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, where gunmen abducted 46 persons comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers.
The trio had been arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
During proceedings, all three defendants pleaded guilty to charges relating to concealment of information about those behind the school abduction and membership of Darul Salam, an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
Umar also admitted additional charges accusing him of providing training and instructions to members of the group through a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
The Federal Government alleged that the defendants, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 and concealed information about the identities and activities of those behind the attack despite being aware of the plot.
Following the guilty pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants on the counts they admitted.
Defence counsel appealed for leniency, arguing that the defendants were first-time offenders who had shown remorse and were responsible for their families and elderly parents. The prosecution, however, maintained that they knowingly withheld information that could have helped security agencies prevent or disrupt the attack.
After considering the submissions of both sides, the court convicted the defendants and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
The abduction claimed the lives of L.A. Primary School Assistant Headmaster, Joel Adesiyan, and a Mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun. The remaining victims regained their freedom on July 10 following an intelligence-led military operation in the Old Oyo National Park.
The Nigerian Army said 44 pupils and teachers were rescued during the operation, while eight suspected members of the kidnapping gang were arrested.
The Presidency also said no ransom was paid and no concessions were granted to the kidnappers, who had reportedly demanded N1 billion and the release of a detained commander.
