A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment over their involvement in the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Justice Salem Ibrahim handed down the sentence after the three defendants pleaded guilty to charges of concealing information about the masterminds of the kidnapping, an incident that attracted widespread national attention.
The convicts also admitted to being members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, during proceedings before the court.
In addition, the first and third defendants pleaded guilty to providing training, issuing instructions and using a WhatsApp group to incite members to commit acts of terrorism.
One of the convicts also admitted to illegally mining gold in streams located in Chaza, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, without lawful authorisation.
The Oriire school abduction, which involved students and teachers travelling in Oyo State, sparked nationwide concern over insecurity and school safety.
The life sentences mark the latest development in the Federal Government’s prosecution of those linked to the kidnapping.
