The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, bringing terrorism related charges against the suspects.
The defendants, 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 on a 10 count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge filed by the Federal Government, the three defendants allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo State, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants aided the abduction by providing support to the alleged masterminds and deliberately withheld information about their identities and activities from security agencies despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
The Federal Government also accused the trio of professing membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group, Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan, also known as Ansaru.
In addition to the joint charges, the first defendant, Umar, was accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists and using a WhatsApp group titled, “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” to incite members to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The final count accused Umar of engaging in illegal gold mining activities in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State between 2024 and 2026.
Part of the charge read: “That you, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani… conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap school children and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State.”
Another count alleged: “You had information about Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab as terrorists who masterminded the kidnap of school children and teachers… but failed to report same to the relevant security operatives.”
