The morality of maximum punishment

One year after a proposal for stiffer punishment against kidnappers and terrorists sparked national debate, a Federal High Court verdict in Abuja has brought that proposal full circle.

The court recently sentenced three men to life imprisonment over their roles in the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

But the judgment is already setting the courts against the country’s secret police. The Department of State Services has rejected the sentence and vowed to appeal, demanding the death penalty instead.

Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted Abdulrazak Umar, a.k.a. Abu Khalifa; Yunusa Musa, a.k.a. Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, a.k.a. Abu Itisar.

All three pleaded guilty to parts of a 10-count charge filed by the Federal Government under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The charges bordered on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement, and illegal mining.

In court, the defendants admitted to concealing information about the masterminds of the school attack and to membership of Darul Salam, said to be an affiliate of Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation.

Umar also admitted to running a WhatsApp group, “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”, used to train and instruct terrorists.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, asked the court to sentence them on the counts they admitted.

Defence counsel begged for mercy, citing that they were married men with children and aged parents. Prosecution argued they should have reported what they knew to authorities.

Justice Ibrahim thereafter handed down life imprisonment.

It was a morning of horror for three schools in Esiele and Yawota communities: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

Gunmen stormed the schools on May 15, 2026 and took away 46 people — 39 pupils and 7 teachers.

Two teachers did not make it out alive. Joel Adesiyan, Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, was shot while trying to escape. Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher, was killed by his captors.

For almost two months, families lived in anguish. Relief came on July 10 when troops carried out an intelligence-led operation in the Old Oyo National Park. The Army said 44 pupils and teachers were rescued, and eight suspected gang members were arrested.

The Presidency insisted no ransom was paid and no concessions were made, despite reports that the kidnappers demanded N1bn and the release of a detained commander.

The link to Thursday’s judgment is Prof. Akin Oluwadayisi. In 2024, the professor, a Nigerian academic, publicly proposed life imprisonment for kidnappers and terrorists as a deterrent. At the time, many misinterpreted his position as a call for a death sentence.

With the Oriire convicts now jailed for life, Prof Oluwadayisi’s proposal has effectively been echoed in law — at least at the trial court level.

Speaking through associates recently, the professor said he stood by his 2024 position that life jail, not death, should be the baseline punishment, while allowing the law to run its course in aggravated cases.

That is where the disagreement begins. DSS officials, who prosecuted the case alongside the DPP, told this reporter that they are dissatisfied with life imprisonment for a crime that led to the deaths of two teachers. They confirmed plans to appeal and seek the death penalty.

The move sets up a legal contest over how far the 2022 Terrorism Act should go in cases involving children.

In Ibadan and Oriire, reactions were mixed.

Parents of the rescued children said they were grateful for the rescue and conviction, but wanted “full justice”.

Education stakeholders called the life sentence a strong signal, while security analysts said the appeal will test Nigeria’s resolve to protect schools.

The Oyo State Government had earlier dismissed claims that ransom was paid for the release.

Appeal: DSS is expected to head to the Court of Appeal to seek an upgrade of the sentence.

Wider crackdown: Eight other suspects remain in DSS custody, with investigations ongoing.

Recovery: The 44 rescued pupils and teachers are receiving support from state and federal agencies.

From a 2024 policy paper to a 2026 courtroom, Prof Oluwadayisi’s call has found judicial expression. Whether it remains life or becomes death will now be decided higher up the ladder of justice.

For the children of Oriire, and for schools across Nigeria still living under the shadow of abduction, the case may define what consequence looks like.