Oyo kidnapping : Court Sentence Three Suspects to Life Imprisonment over Oriire School Abduction, Terrorism Offences

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The convicts, identified as Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsudin Sani, were found guilty and sentenced by Justice Salem Ibrahim on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

During the proceedings, the three defendants admitted to belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the banned terrorist group Ansaru, which is designated as a proscribed terrorist organization in Nigeria.

Abdulrazak Umar and Shamsudin Sani also pleaded guilty to charges of providing terrorist training, issuing instructions, and using a WhatsApp group known as “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to encourage and incite members.

In a separate count, Abdulrazak Umar admitted to unlawfully engaging in gold mining activities at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, without the required legal authorization.

The Federal Government had prosecuted the three men over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area between January and May 2026.

Although they admitted guilt to several charges, the defendants denied other counts brought against them during the trial.