The federal government has filed terrorism-related charges 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/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 a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, incitement, and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the three defendants, all from 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 abduct schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA of Oyo State.
The federal government accused the trio of committing an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution further alleged that they aided the kidnapping operation, an offence punishable under Section 26(3) of the Act.
The defendants were also accused of concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
According to the charge, they failed to alert security agencies to the activities of the suspected terrorists and the planned abduction, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In another count, the federal government alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the three defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The charge stated that the alleged act contravened Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Abdulrazak Umar faces additional charges, including allegedly providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
He is also accused of using the platform to incite members through his sermons to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The final count accused Umar of engaging in unlawful gold mining between 2024 and 2026 at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The charge sheet reads in part,“That you Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar)… conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap school children and teachers in Oriire LGA, Oyo State.”
It further alleged that the defendants,“…had information about Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab as terrorists who are masterminds of the kidnap of school children and teachers… but failed to report same to the relevant security operatives.”
On the terrorism-related allegations, the charge stated,“ You professed to be members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria.”
Regarding Umar’s individual charges, the prosecution alleged that he,“…provided training and instructions to terrorists via your WhatsApp group titled ‘The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace’,” and also “incited your members… through your preachings to commit acts of terrorism.”
A security source familiar with the case said the suspects are expected to be arraigned in court next week following the conclusion of investigations.
The source added that investigations are still ongoing into the activities of other suspects linked to the case.
“Others are still being probed as the Agency is insistent on diligent investigation,” the source said.
The charges mark the latest development in the federal government’s prosecution of those allegedly connected to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, one of the high-profile school kidnapping incidents recorded in the country this year.
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