The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their alleged involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentence after convicting Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani on terrorism and kidnapping-related charges.
The convicts were prosecuted on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
The Federal Government had accused the trio of belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist organisation, Ansaru.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired with other suspects between January and May 2026 to facilitate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
They were also accused of concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds of the planned attack, despite allegedly having prior knowledge of the plot.
During the proceedings, the three defendants pleaded guilty to charges relating to the concealment of information and membership of the group.
Umar also admitted to providing training and instructions to members of the group through a WhatsApp platform.
However, the trio pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges.
Following their guilty pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with the law.
Defence counsel, however, pleaded for leniency, describing the convicts as first-time offenders who had shown remorse by admitting to some of the offences.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently sentenced the three men to life imprisonment, directing that the sentences should take effect from the date of their arrest.
The judgment brings to a close the prosecution of the trio over their alleged roles in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
