ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their involvement in the May 15 kidnapping of 46 pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Golden Info reports that Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the sentence after convicting Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani on terrorism and kidnapping charges. The judge ordered that the life sentences take effect from the date of the convicts’ arrest.
The Federal Government of Nigeria arraigned the men on a 10-count charge, accusing them of belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan. The prosecution stated the defendants, all from Suleja Local Government Area in Niger State, conspired with others between January and May 2026 to facilitate the abductions.
During the proceedings led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, the defendants admitted to concealing information about the attack’s masterminds and acknowledged their membership in the group. Umar also pleaded guilty to providing training to group members through a messaging platform, while all three pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts.
Gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting 39 pupils and 7 teachers. The attackers killed Joel Adesiyan, an assistant headmaster, and Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, during the raid.
The Nigerian Army rescued 44 victims on July 10 during an intelligence-led operation in the Old Oyo National Park. The Presidency of Nigeria confirmed that no concessions were made and no ransom was paid to the kidnappers, who had demanded 1 billion Naira ($666,666) and the release of a detained commander.