The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The 10-count charge, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), names the defendants as 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.
The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired with three other individuals between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, an offence said to be contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They are also accused of assisting in the abduction and deliberately withholding information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite being aware of the plot.
The Federal Government further alleged that the three men professed membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of the banned terrorist group Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), an offence under the Terrorism Act.
Abdulrazak Umar is additionally accused of training suspected terrorists and using a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to encourage acts of terrorism, in violation of both the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrime Act.
He is also facing a separate charge of unlawful gold mining in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, between 2024 and 2026, contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The case is expected to proceed before the Federal High Court as the government seeks to prosecute the defendants on the various charges.
