The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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 arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government also alleged that the defendants aided the abduction and concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
The three men were further accused of professing membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an offence under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
In addition, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists and using a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to incite members to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The Federal Government also accused Umar of engaging in illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026, contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The case forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to prosecute individuals linked to terrorism, kidnapping and other organised criminal activities across the country.
