The Federal Government has brought three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, identified as Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar, are facing a 10-count charge filed after their arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).
DIP CONNECTS reports that the charges include terrorism, conspiracy to kidnap, aiding kidnapping, concealment of information, membership of a terrorist organisation, terrorist training, incitement to terrorism through social media, and unlawful gold mining.
According to the charge sheet, the three suspects, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly worked with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to orchestrate the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA of Oyo State.
The Federal Government alleged that the accused not only participated in the conspiracy but also assisted those behind the abduction and deliberately withheld information that could have helped security agencies prevent the crime or arrest the alleged masterminds.
The prosecution said the offences contravene Sections 26(1), 26(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Court documents further alleged that on June 2, 2026, the three defendants declared themselves members of Darul Salam, which prosecutors described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan, also known as Ansaru, a terrorist organisation banned in Nigeria. The allegation was brought under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Separate charges were filed against the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, accusing him of providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group named "The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace."
He was also accused of using the platform to encourage members to carry out acts of terrorism, an allegation said to violate Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
In addition to the terrorism-related allegations, Umar is facing a separate charge of illegal mining. Prosecutors alleged that between 2024 and 2026, he unlawfully mined gold from streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area without legal authorisation, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The Federal Government stated that the charges followed the conclusion of investigations into the suspects' alleged roles in the Oyo school kidnapping.
A security source disclosed that while the three suspects have now been arraigned, investigations are continuing, with other individuals believed to be connected to the case still being pursued by security agencies.
Adeola Kunle
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