The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 23, 2026, sentenced three suspects linked to the Oyo school abduction to life imprisonment after finding them guilty of terrorism-related offences connected to the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentence against 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, following their trial on charges bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
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The court ordered that the sentences should begin from the dates the convicts were arrested.
The case followed the May 15 attack on schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, where gunmen abducted 46 people, including 39 pupils and seven teachers.
The Federal Government accused the three men of being members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
Prosecutors alleged that the suspects worked with other members of the group to facilitate the abduction and conceal information about those behind the attack.
During proceedings, the defendants admitted to some of the allegations, including concealing information about individuals involved in the operation and their association with Darul Salam.
Umar also pleaded guilty to charges relating to providing training and instructions to members of the group through a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offences, arguing that the suspects had knowledge of criminal activities and failed to alert security agencies.
The defence team, however, appealed for leniency, describing the convicts as first-time offenders who had expressed remorse through their guilty pleas.
Counsel asked the court to consider their family responsibilities and personal circumstances.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ibrahim ruled that the evidence before the court was sufficient to establish their involvement in offences connected to the Oyo school abduction.
The abduction had triggered a major security response, with the Nigerian Army launching an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected kidnappers’ hideouts around the Old Oyo National Park.
On July 10, the military announced the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers, while eight suspected gang members were arrested during the operation.
Authorities also stated that no ransom was paid and no concessions were made to the kidnappers.
The attack resulted in the deaths of two victims. Joel Adesiyan, the assistant headmaster of L.A. Primary School, was killed while attempting to escape during the raid, while Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was also killed by his abductors.
The conviction represents a major development in the government’s response to rising concerns over school safety and terrorism-related crimes.
Security experts have repeatedly called for stronger intelligence gathering, community cooperation and improved protection for schools in vulnerable areas, noting that preventing future attacks requires addressing both immediate security threats and the wider factors enabling criminal networks to operate.
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The Federal Government has continued to prosecute suspects linked to terrorism and kidnapping cases as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and deter organised criminal groups.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
