A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their involvement in the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentences against 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). The judge ordered that the sentences run from the date each man was first taken into custody.
Guilty Pleas Entered by Convicts
The three convicts, all from Niger State, were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a 10-count charge covering kidnapping, concealment of information, and a range of terrorism-related offences. They admitted to knowingly withholding information about individuals linked to terrorist activities, participating in the abduction, and using a messaging platform to coordinate terrorist training. All three accused pleaded guilty to membership of a proscribed terrorist group and to hiding details about the planning and execution of the Oyo State abduction. The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, entered additional guilty pleas on counts 7, 8, 9 and 10, which covered training other members of the terror group, passing on instructions, and inciting fellow members based on a particular religious ideology.
Defence Appeals for Leniency
Before Justice Ibrahim delivered the sentences, defence counsel appealed for leniency on the grounds that all three men were first-time offenders who had cooperated with the court by entering guilty pleas. Counsel argued the pleas were evidence of remorse and asked the court to consider that the convicts were married with children and had elderly parents depending on them financially.
Prosecution Rejects Leniency
Prosecution counsel rejected the call for a lighter sentence, telling the court that the convicts were aware of the people operating on the battlefield and, as Nigerians, had an obligation to report that information to the relevant authorities rather than conceal it. Justice Ibrahim acknowledged the guilty pleas before proceeding to sentence all three men to life imprisonment.
