The Department of State Services (DSS) has stated that it will appeal the life imprisonment of three men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for their role in the abduction of school pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The DSS is not satisfied with the verdict, arguing that the sentencing is not commensurate with the crimes committed in Oriire. It cited the beheading of two teachers by members of the terrorist organisation involved in the abduction.
Justice Salim Ibrahim had on Thursday, 23 July, 2026 sentenced the men to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist organisation; concealing information on the kidnapping; and inciting through religious ideology.
The convicts are: Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar.
Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid, pleaded guilty to counts 7, 8, 9 and 10, which bordered on training and passing instructions and inciting terror group members on a particular religious ideology.
They were accused persons were put on trial by the DSS on a 10-count charge bordering on kidnapping, concealment of information, and terrorism-related offences, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The three defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment on Count 6. Abdulrazak Umar was sentenced to life imprisonment on Count 7; life imprisonment on Count 9 and a life sentence on Count 10.
