Federal High Court Sentences Three Kidnap Convicts to Life Imprisonment Over Oyo School Abduction
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men convicted over the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.
Justice Salem Ibrahim delivered the judgment on Thursday, July 23, 2026, after convicting Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsudin Sani for their roles in the kidnapping incident.
During the trial, the three convicts also pleaded guilty to being members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.
The court heard that the first and third convicts, Abdulrazak Umar and Shamsudin Sani, admitted to providing training, issuing instructions and inciting members of a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
Abdulrazak Umar also pleaded guilty to illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, without lawful authorisation.
The Federal Government had arraigned the three defendants over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area between January and May 2026.
While the defendants denied some of the other charges preferred against them, the court found sufficient grounds to convict them on the offences for which they admitted guilt and subsequently sentenced them to life imprisonment.
The judgment marks another milestone in ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes, while reinforcing accountability for those involved in attacks on schools and educational institutions.
Federal High Court Sentences Three Kidnap Convicts to Life Imprisonment Over Oyo School Abduction