Abuja Court Sentences Three to Life for Kidnapping

On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men—Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar)—to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges. Justice Salim Ibrahim presided over the case, which involved a 10-count charge including conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealing information about terrorists, and professing membership in the proscribed Darul Salam sect, linked to the Ansaru terrorist group.

The convicts were accused of conspiring with others to kidnap 39 pupils and six teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State between January and May 2026. The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded the schools.

The victims were rescued on July 10, 2026, following a coordinated operation by security forces. The prosecution argued against leniency, stating the convicts concealed information about the masterminds of the abduction.

Justice Ibrahim rejected the plea for mercy and imposed the life sentences.