The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced three persons linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.
Justice Salim Ibrahim convicted and sentenced the defendants, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a. Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a. Abu Itisar), after they pleaded guilty to some of the allegations the federal government leveled against them.
The defendants had earlier pleaded guilty to some of the allegations brought against them by the federal government, while denying others.
They were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
The Federal Government accused the trio of belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants, all from the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with other suspects, including Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab, between January and May 2026 to facilitate the abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State.
They were also accused of concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds of the attack despite being aware of the plot.
During proceedings, the defendants admitted to concealing information about those responsible for the school attack and acknowledged their membership of Darul Salam.
While all three pleaded guilty to counts four and six of the charge, only Umar admitted guilt on additional counts bordering on providing training and instructions to members of the group through a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
However, they pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts.
Following their guilty pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the prosecution team, urged the court to sentence the defendants on the counts they admitted.
Before the sentencing, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court for leniency, describing them as first-time offenders who had shown remorse by pleading guilty.
The defence counsel argued that the charges they admitted were not directly related to the kidnapping itself and appealed to the court to consider their family responsibilities, noting that they were married men with children and had aged parents dependent on them.
He urged the court to give them an opportunity for a second chance.
However, prosecution counsel argued that the convicts were aware of the activities of those involved in the attack and, as responsible citizens, ought to have reported the information to security authorities.
The federal government had alleged that the defendants committed offences contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including sections relating to conspiracy, aiding terrorism, concealment of terrorist activities, and membership of a proscribed organisation.
The court, after considering the submissions of both parties, convicted the defendants and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
On May 15, gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, abducting 46 people, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers.
The Nigerian Army announced that 44 pupils and teachers were rescued, while eight suspected gang members were arrested.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
