After pleading guilty to terrorism-related offences, a Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced five men linked to the 2025 abduction of more than 300 students from a Catholic school in Niger State to 25 Years in prison.
The convicts, identified as Yusuf Mohammed alias Bature, Goni Ibrahim Bindi alias Goni Mutuwa, Sani Tukur alias Danladi, Mubarak Ibrahim and Musa Alhaji Adamu alias Gado Banufe, were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) before Justice Binta Nyako.
The defendants pleaded guilty to a four-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and support, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as concealment of information relating to a suspected terrorist.
During the proceedings, the prosecution presented documentary and physical evidence recovered during investigations, including 15 AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Similarly, investigation reports, statements made by the defendants, and other supporting documents were also tendered before the court without objection from the defence.
Following the admission of the exhibits, Justice Nyako convicted the defendants and invited them to make allocutus before sentencing.
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The court subsequently sentenced all five convicts to 25 years’ imprisonment on the first count.
On counts two and three, the third, fourth and fifth defendants were each handed seven-year prison terms, while Yusuf Mohammed received an additional 25-year sentence on the fourth count.
Justice Nyako ordered that all sentences run concurrently from the date of arrest.
The court also directed that the convicts serve their jail terms in correctional facilities designated by the Minister of Interior.
Additionally, all exhibits used in the case, including a Volkswagen vehicle allegedly used to transport the weapons, were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Charges
According to the charge, the defendants conspired to transport 15 AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of ammunition from the Diffa region of the Republic of Niger to a suspected Boko Haram member identified as Malam Ahmad in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Prosecutors further alleged that some of the weapons were concealed inside sacks of dried fish loaded in a vehicle intercepted along the Kano-Kaduna highway.
The convictions are connected to the November 2025 abduction of 315 persons, comprising 303 students and 12 teachers, from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger State.
While 50 pupils reportedly escaped within 24 hours of the attack, the remaining victims regained their freedom in batches over the following weeks.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.