The Federal Government has filed a 10-count terrorism-related charge against three men accused of involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects—Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar)—were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja with offences including terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the defendants, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly worked 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 pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Prosecutors also accused the trio of assisting the kidnappers and withholding vital information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite being aware of the plot, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charge further alleged that on June 2, 2026, the three men openly declared themselves members of Darul Salam, described by the prosecution as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).
Abdulrazak Umar faces additional allegations of operating a WhatsApp group titled **”The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,”** through which he allegedly trained, instructed and encouraged members to engage in terrorist activities. The prosecution said the actions violated both the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
He is also separately accused of carrying out illegal gold mining in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority, an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The charge sheet details offences ranging from conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aiding terrorism-related crimes, failure to report terrorist activities, membership of a banned terrorist organisation, providing terrorist training, incitement through online platforms, and unlawful mining.
A security source disclosed that the three suspects are expected to be arraigned next week after investigators concluded their inquiries.
The source added that investigations are continuing into the activities of other individuals believed to be connected to the case, stressing that authorities are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation before further prosecutions.
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