The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, filing terrorism-related charges against them.
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 brought before the court on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, terrorist affiliation, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the three suspects allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government further alleged that the defendants actively participated in facilitating the abduction and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the operation.
Prosecutors also accused the trio of belonging to Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).
In addition to the joint charges, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, is facing separate counts for allegedly providing operational guidance and training to terrorists through a WhatsApp platform known as “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” He was also accused of using the platform to encourage members to engage in terrorist activities, contrary to the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Umar is further accused of illegally mining gold in streams within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority.
Court documents stated that the suspects conspired to carry out the Orire school kidnapping and subsequently aided the perpetrators while concealing vital information from security agencies.
The charges also include alleged membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, providing support and training to terrorists, inciting terrorism through online sermons and engaging in unlawful mining activities.
A security source said investigations into the kidnapping are ongoing, with additional suspects still being interrogated and likely to face prosecution as authorities continue efforts to dismantle the network behind the attack.
