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A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The convicts were found guilty of terrorism-related offences, including conspiracy, aiding terrorism, concealing terrorist activities, and belonging to a proscribed terrorist organisation under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government had filed a 10-count charge against the defendants following the rescue of the victims in a joint security operation. The charges included terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining linked to financing terrorist activities. After reviewing the evidence, the court convicted the trio on multiple counts and ordered that they serve life sentences.
The abduction, which drew national attention, involved dozens of pupils and teachers who were held captive for weeks before being rescued by security forces. While the three convicts will spend the rest of their lives in prison for the offences proven against them, proceedings are expected to continue on the remaining charges they denied.
