Oyo School Kidnapping: Court Sentences Three Terror Convicts to Life Imprisonment
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment over their involvement in terrorism-related offences.
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the judgment on Thursday, ordering that the life sentences take effect from the date the convicts were arrested.
Those convicted are 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.
The trio faced a 10-count charge filed by the Federal Government bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the prosecution, the defendants are members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), and played roles in facilitating the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
During the trial, the defendants admitted to concealing information about those responsible for the attack and acknowledged their membership of the group. Umar also pleaded guilty to additional charges relating to training and instructing members of the organisation through a WhatsApp platform.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to impose appropriate punishment, arguing that the convicts knowingly failed to report terrorist activities despite being aware of the planned attack.
Although defence counsel appealed for leniency, describing the defendants as first-time offenders who showed remorse and had family responsibilities, the court held that the offences were serious enough to warrant life imprisonment.
The case stems from the May 15, 2026 attack on Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted 46 people, including 39 pupils and seven teachers.
During the attack, Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan was killed while attempting to escape, while Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was later murdered by the kidnappers.
The victims were eventually rescued on July 10, 2026, following an intelligence-led military operation that dismantled the kidnappers’ hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park. Security forces also arrested several suspects during the operation.
The Federal Government had maintained that no ransom was paid and no concession was granted to the kidnappers before the successful rescue mission.
The conviction marks one of the most significant judicial outcomes arising from the Oyo school abduction, reinforcing ongoing efforts by authorities to prosecute individuals linked to terrorism and mass kidnapping across the country.
