The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment over their involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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The convicts, 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, were sentenced after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges brought against them by the Federal Government.
They were arraigned before Justice Salem Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over offences connected with the May 2026 kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire LGA.
During proceedings, the three convicts pleaded guilty to concealing information about persons alleged to have masterminded the kidnapping of the schoolchildren and teachers.
They also admitted to being members of Darul Salam, which prosecutors described as an affiliate of Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The first and third convicts, Abdulrazak Umar and Shamsu Adamu Sani, further pleaded guilty to providing training and instructions, as well as inciting members of a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to commit acts of terrorism.
According to the prosecution, the WhatsApp platform was allegedly used to propagate extremist ideology, provide guidance to members and encourage activities linked to the terrorist group.
In addition, Abdulrazak Umar pleaded guilty to engaging in illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State without lawful authorisation.
The Federal Government had filed a 10-count charge against the convicts, bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation and illegal mining.
The prosecution alleged that the three men, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with others to carry out the Oriire school abduction, which drew national attention and renewed concerns over attacks on schools and insecurity across the country.
Following their guilty pleas, the court convicted them and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
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