Federal Court Jails Five Men 25 Years Over Papiri School Kidnapping

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday concluded one of Nigeria's fastest terrorism trials by sentencing five men to 25 years in prison for their involvement in the November 21, 2025, kidnapping at St. Joseph Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. Justice Binta Nyako delivered the convictions against the five suspects, all of whom entered guilty pleas to multiple terrorism-related offences.

The attack resulted in the abduction of approximately 300 students and staff members from the school premises. While sources differ slightly on rescue details, reports indicate that around 50 victims managed to escape, with the remaining 250 reportedly taken toward the Kainji Lake area and nearby forests. The Department of State Services coordinated the investigation and apprehension of the suspects between May and June 2026.

The five convicted men were identified as Yusuf Muhammad (alias Batur), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (alias Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tukur (alias Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (alias Gado Banuf). Two of the five were confirmed to be foreign nationals. During their arrest operations, the DSS recovered 15 AK-47 rifles, 1,434 rounds of live ammunition, and a Volkswagen Golf vehicle used in connection with the kidnapping. The court ordered forfeiture of the recovered vehicle to the Nigerian government.

The convictions were secured under charges including terrorism support contrary to Section 16 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, as well as firearms-related offences. The rapid conclusion of the trial has been noted as among the speediest terror convictions in Nigeria's judicial history.