A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men linked to the terrorist group Ansaru, a Boko Haram-affiliated extremist organisation, to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State earlier this year.
Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentences after the defendants pleaded guilty to several terrorism-related offences connected with the May 15, 2026, mass kidnapping in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The court ordered that the life sentences take effect from the date of their arrest. (ICIR News)
The convicts, Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar), admitted to charges including membership of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), concealment of information relating to the kidnapping, and promoting extremist ideology. (NewsVerge)
Justice Ibrahim imposed life imprisonment on the offences carrying the maximum penalty under Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Umar, who faced additional counts, received further life sentences on several charges and a separate 20-year prison term on another count. The trial will continue in September on the remaining charges to which the defendants pleaded not guilty. (NewsVerge)
The case stems from one of Nigeria’s most shocking school attacks in recent years. On May 15, heavily armed militants stormed three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers before fleeing into the vast Old Oyo National Park forest. Two teachers were later killed while in captivity, deepening national outrage over the attack. (THE NETWORK)
The hostages spent nearly two months in captivity before security forces rescued them during a coordinated operation on July 10. Authorities said several kidnappers were killed while eight suspects were arrested during the mission. Survivors later recounted being subjected to beatings, hunger and psychological abuse while held in remote forest camps. (AP News)
The Department of State Services (DSS), which investigated the case and arrested the three convicts, expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s judgment and announced plans to appeal. The agency argued that life imprisonment did not adequately reflect the gravity of the crimes, particularly the murder of two teachers during the hostage ordeal. (Channels Television)
The Oriire abduction marked a troubling expansion of jihadist activity into southwestern Nigeria, a region historically spared the large-scale school kidnappings associated with the country’s northeast. Security experts say the attack demonstrated Ansaru’s growing operational reach and highlighted the need for stronger protection of schools outside traditional conflict zones. (AP News)
The convictions represent one of the most significant terrorism prosecutions arising from the May kidnapping. Nigerian authorities have pledged to continue pursuing other members of the network allegedly involved in planning and executing the attack, as the government seeks to deter further assaults on schools and restore public confidence in security operations.
