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The Federal Government has laid terrorism charges against three men for their alleged involvement in the abduction of school children and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects, 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 arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal extraction.
According to the prosecution, the three accused, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, collaborated with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to plan and execute the kidnapping of school children and teachers in Orire.
The government lays out the charges
The federal government alleged that the defendants conspired to carry out the kidnapping and also provided assistance to the perpetrators of the attack. Prosecutors also accused them of withholding information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having knowledge of the operation.
The offences, according to the prosecution, violate the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalizes conspiracy, abetment of terrorist acts and concealment of information relating to terrorism. The court documents further stated that the defendants professed to belong to Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist group proscribed by the federal government.
Further charges against Umar
Separate charges were filed against the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, accused of providing training and instructions to members of a terrorist group through a WhatsApp platform called “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”.
The prosecution further alleged that he used the platform to encourage acts of terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Umar was also accused of carrying out illegal gold mining activities at water bodies located in Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026, contrary to the Miscellaneous Offenses Act.
The case goes to trial
The charges follow investigations into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area, an incident that has heightened concerns over insecurity in Oyo State. Security agencies, including the Department of State Services, reportedly arrested the suspects before the federal government initiated legal proceedings.
The prosecution is expected to present evidence to support the charges as the trial proceeds, while the defendants will have the opportunity to defend themselves in court. Under Nigerian law, they remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
