Three Arraigned Over Oyo School Abduction

The Federal Government has filed terrorism-related charges against three men accused of involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants are 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 were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday on a 10-count charge covering terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.

According to the charge, the three men, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly worked with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to plan and carry out the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. Prosecutors said the alleged offences violate the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The government also accused them of assisting the kidnapping operation and deliberately withholding information about the identities and activities of those said to have masterminded the attack despite being aware of the plot.

Court documents further alleged that on June 2, 2026, the three suspects identified themselves as members of Darul Salam, which prosecutors described as an affiliate of the banned terrorist group Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an offence under the Terrorism Act.

In addition to the joint charges, Abdulrazak Umar faces separate allegations of providing training and guidance to suspected terrorists through a WhatsApp group known as “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” He is also accused of encouraging members of the group to engage in terrorist activities through messages shared on the platform, contrary to both the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

The final count accuses Umar of carrying out illegal gold mining between 2024 and 2026 at streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area without lawful approval, an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

According to a security source, the suspects are expected to appear before the court next week after investigators concluded their inquiries.

The source added that investigations are continuing into the activities of other individuals linked to the case, noting that security agencies are determined to complete a thorough investigation before taking further action.