Court Jails Three for Life Over Oyo School Kidnap

An Abuja High Court has sentenced three suspects to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar), are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.

All three are from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.

Prosecutors allege the suspects conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to orchestrate the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State, an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution also accused the trio of aiding the kidnapping, concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite knowledge of the plot, and failing to report the planned attack to security agencies, offences said to contravene Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act respectively.

In separate counts, the defendants are also accused of professing membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Terrorism Act.

The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, faces additional charges, including providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”, inciting acts of terrorism via the same platform, and engaging in unlawful gold mining at streams in Chaza area of Suleja LGA between 2024 and 2026.

The charges come from the May 15 attack on three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, during which heavily armed gunmen abducted pupils and teachers.

Two teachers were killed during the 56-day captivity.

The victims were rescued on July 10 following a coordinated military operation.

The presidency maintained that no ransom was paid and no concessions were granted to the kidnappers, despite reports that the gang had demanded N1 billion and the release of one of its detained commanders as conditions for freeing the victims.

More details later.