The Federal Government has arraigned three men over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, filing terrorism-related charges against them before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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 on Friday with offences bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
The 10-count charge alleges that the three defendants, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the charge, they also aided the abduction and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot, offences said to contravene Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism Act.
The prosecution further alleged that on June 2, 2026, the trio professed membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist organisation proscribed in Nigeria, in violation of Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Abdulrazak Umar faces additional charges of allegedly providing training and operational 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 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.
In the final count, Umar was accused of engaging in illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026, without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source disclosed that the suspects are expected to appear before the court next week, following the conclusion of investigations into their alleged roles in the crime.
The source added that investigations are continuing into other individuals believed to be connected with the abduction.
“Others are still being probed as the agency is insistent on diligent investigation,” the source said.
The charges stem from the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage before security agencies eventually rescued the victims after coordinated operations.
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