The Federal Government has filed a 10-count charge against three men over their alleged involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects—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—were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.
The charges include terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, incitement to terrorism, membership of a proscribed terrorist group, and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the three defendants, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA.
The Federal Government alleged that the trio not only conspired in the abduction but also aided its execution, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution further accused them of withholding information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the planned attack and failing to report them to security agencies.
In another count, the defendants were alleged to have professed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of Ansaru (Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan), a terrorist organisation proscribed in Nigeria.
Abdulrazak Umar faces additional charges separate from those against his co-defendants.
The government alleged that he used a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to provide training and instructions to suspected terrorists and to incite members to engage in terrorist acts.
He was charged under both the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Umar was also accused of engaging in illegal gold mining in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authorisation, an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source familiar with the case said the investigation into the three suspects has been concluded and that they are expected to be arraigned before the court next week.
The source added that investigations into other individuals linked to the case are still ongoing, stressing that security agencies are focused on ensuring a thorough and diligent investigation before further prosecutions are initiated.
