The Federal Government has filed a 10-count 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, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar — were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged offences bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of criminal activities, incitement and illegal mining.
The charges alleged that the suspects, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo State.
The Federal Government accused them of aiding the alleged abduction and failing to provide information about the activities and identities of the suspected masterminds despite allegedly having knowledge of the plot.
They were also accused of professing membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
One of the defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, was specifically accused of providing training and instructions to alleged terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
The charge further alleged that Umar used the platform to incite members to commit acts of terrorism, offences said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the Cybercrime Act.
The government also accused Umar of engaging in illegal gold mining activities at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026.
The allegations against the suspects followed the abduction of pupils and teachers from a school in Orire, Oyo State, an incident that triggered security operations leading to the rescue of the victims.
A security source said investigations into the matter had been concluded for the three suspects, who are expected to appear in court next week.
The source added that other persons linked to the case were still being investigated as security agencies continued efforts to ensure a thorough probe.
