The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Abdulrazak Umar (Abu Khalifa), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar) to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.
The three men, who were arrested in connection with the May 15, 2026, attack on three schools in the area, were found guilty of terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, and incitement. The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who delivered the judgment, held that the convicts had conspired to commit the heinous crime and had shown no remorse for their actions. The court also noted that the victims, some of whom were as young as two years old, endured 56 harrowing days in captivity before being rescued on July 10, 2026.
The judge described the crime as a “grave assault on the nation’s security and the fundamental rights of innocent children,” and handed down the maximum sentence to serve as a deterrent to others.
The convicts were also found guilty of inciting members to commit acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” and of unlawful gold mining in the Chaza area of Suleja LGA between 2024 and 2026.
The sentencing marks a significant milestone in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism in the country, sending a strong message that such crimes will not go unpunished. The parents of the victims, who had waited anxiously for justice, expressed relief at the judgment.