A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced five men to 25 years imprisonment each for their roles in the abduction of hundreds of pupils and staff from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Papiri, Niger State.
Justice Binta Nyako handed down the sentence on Thursday after the defendants pleaded guilty to four terrorism-related charges brought against them by the Federal Government.
The convicts are Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Bature; Goni Ibrahim Bindi, also known as Goni Mutuwa; Sani Tukur, also known as Danladi; Mubarak Ibrahim; and Musa Alhaji Adamu, also known as Gado Banufe. Two of the convicted men are citizens of the Republic of Niger.
The case stems from the November 21, 2025 attack on St. Joseph Catholic Church, during which armed men abducted more than 300 students and staff members. While about 50 students escaped, more than 250 others were taken into the Kainji Lake National Park area, where they were held for several days.
Investigations by the Department of State Services (DSS) led to the arrest of the five suspects. During one operation, DSS operatives recovered 15 AK-47 rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition concealed in sacks inside a Volkswagen Golf vehicle.
The weapons and ammunition were presented as evidence during the trial. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle used in the operation to the Federal Government.
According to the charges, the defendants conspired to transport the weapons and ammunition from the Diffa region of the Republic of Niger to an alleged Boko Haram member identified as Malam Ahmad in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
They were also accused of providing material support for terrorism by facilitating the movement of the arms on behalf of the terrorist group.
The offences violated provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.
Following their guilty plea, the court convicted and sentenced all five defendants to 25 years imprisonment.
