Abuja court sentences three to life for Oyo pupils’ abduction

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The convicts, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the life sentences take effect from the date of their arrest. The men were arraigned by the Federal Government on a 10-count charge that included conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealing information about terrorists, and professing membership of the proscribed Darul Salam sect, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist group.

During the sentencing hearing, the defense counsel pleaded for mercy, highlighting that the convicts were first-time offenders who had shown remorse and were married with children and dependent parents. However, the prosecution argued against leniency, emphasizing that the convicts knowingly withheld information about the masterminds of the abduction.

Justice Ibrahim rejected the plea for leniency. The prosecution had accused the defendants of conspiring with other suspects to kidnap pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire LGA between January and May 2026. They were also charged with aiding the kidnapping and concealing information that could have led to the arrest of those responsible.

The case stems from the May 15, 2026, abduction of 39 pupils and six teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The victims regained their freedom on July 10, 2026, following a coordinated operation involving troops, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies. President Bola Tinubu announced the rescue, stating that security forces had dismantled the kidnappers’ network.