Three men convicted of involvement in the kidnapping of school children and teachers in Oyo State have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja handed down the sentence Thursday. The convicts are Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar.
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The Department of State Services brought the charges. The three men faced 10 counts. They pleaded guilty to counts 4 and 6. The court found them guilty of being members of a proscribed terrorist group.
The kidnapping happened in Orire local government area of Oyo State. The victims included school children and teachers. The convicts admitted to being associates of the bandits who carried out the abduction.
Court Proceedings
Justice Ibrahim ruled that the men concealed knowledge of the bandits’ activities. The sentence is life imprisonment. The court did not offer an option of a fine.
The DSS had accused the men of providing support to the kidnappers. Officials said the conviction sends a strong message against terrorism.
Reactions
Legal experts said the ruling is significant. It shows the judiciary’s commitment to fighting kidnapping. The case has drawn attention to security challenges in Oyo State.
The sentence is a warning to others,” said a court official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The law will catch up with criminals.”
More details about the case are expected soon. The convicts have the right to appeal.
