The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday has sentenced three suspects to life imprisonment for their connection to the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The presiding judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, stated that the sentencing of the 3 defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will commence from the date of their arrest.
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), through the Department of State Services, had levelled a 10-count charge against the defendants bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information about terrorists, incitement and professing membership of the proscribed Darul Salam sect, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist group.
Counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to be merciful in its sentencing, arguing that they had pleaded guilty, were also first-time offenders and were remorseful.
He also said they had families and aged parents who were dependent on them, adding that the offences they were convicted for were not directly related to the actual kidnapping.
Recall that on May 15, 2026, pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were kidnapped.