The Federal Government has filed a 10-count terrorism-related charge against three men over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, accusing them of conspiracy, kidnapping, concealment, terrorism, incitement, cybercrime and illegal mining.
The defendants — 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) — all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the charge sheet, the trio allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA, an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government further alleged that they aided the kidnappers in carrying out the abduction and knowingly concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds without reporting them to security agencies, contrary to Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act.
The charge sheet also accused the three defendants of professing membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), an offence under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In separate counts, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”, as well as using the platform to incite members to commit acts of terrorism.
He was charged under Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Umar is also facing a separate charge of engaging in unlawful 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.
According to a security source familiar with the case, investigations have been concluded and the three defendants are expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja next week. The prosecution will seek to proceed on all 10 counts contained in the charge sheet.