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Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences linked to the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the life sentences commence from the date of the convicts’ arrest, rejecting the defence’s plea for leniency despite their guilty pleas and claims of remorse.
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The convicts admitted belonging to a proscribed terrorist group and concealing intelligence on the planning and execution of the school abduction, while the lead defendant also confessed to additional terrorism offences.
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The judgment underscores the Federal Government’s determination to dismantle terrorist support networks and prosecute collaborators involved in school kidnappings and violent extremism across Nigeria.
In a significant victory for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced three terrorists linked to the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.
Justice Salim Ibrahim convicted and sentenced 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, following their guilty pleas to charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The judge ruled that the life sentences would take effect from the date of their arrest.
The three convicts, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, were prosecuted on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, concealment of information, kidnapping-related offences and other acts connected with terrorist activities.
Defence Pleads for Mercy, Prosecution Urges Maximum Punishment
Before the sentence was pronounced, defence counsel urged the court to temper justice with mercy, describing the convicts as first-time offenders who had accepted responsibility by pleading guilty.
Counsel argued that the offences for which the defendants were convicted did not amount to direct participation in the actual abduction of the victims.
He further appealed to the court to consider their personal circumstances, saying they were married with children and had elderly parents who depended on them for survival.
According to the defence, the guilty pleas reflected genuine remorse and should attract a lighter sentence that would allow the convicts an opportunity to reform.
The prosecution, however, urged the court to reject the plea, arguing that the defendants knowingly associated with terrorists and deliberately concealed critical information capable of preventing the attack.
Prosecution counsel maintained that every Nigerian has a legal obligation to report terrorist activities to security agencies, stressing that the convicts instead chose to shield individuals involved in acts of terrorism.
Convicts Admitted Terrorism Charges
During the proceedings, the three defendants pleaded guilty to charges relating to membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation and concealing information concerning the planning and execution of the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The prosecution told the court that the defendants knowingly withheld information concerning Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab, alleged terrorist masterminds behind the school abduction, without notifying the appropriate security agencies.
Court documents further alleged that the defendants participated in activities supporting a terrorist organisation and used digital messaging platforms to facilitate terrorist training and operational communications.
In addition to the joint charges, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, pleaded guilty to four additional counts bordering on terrorist training, transmitting operational instructions and indoctrinating members of the terrorist group with extremist religious ideology.
Satisfied that the prosecution had established its case through the defendants’ voluntary guilty pleas and the facts presented before the court, Justice Ibrahim convicted the trio and imposed life imprisonment on each of them.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
