FG arraigns three over Oyo school kidnap, terrorism

The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the kidnap of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants — Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar) — are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, incitement and illegal mining.

According to the charge filed by the Federal Government, the suspects, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to abduct schoolchildren and teachers in Orire LGA of Oyo State.

The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution further alleged that the three defendants aided the kidnap operation and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.

The charges, according to the Federal Government, violate Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The trio is also accused of professing membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an offence punishable under Section 25(1) of the Act.

In addition to the joint charges, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, faces separate allegations of providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”

The prosecution alleged that Umar used the platform to train members and incite them to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

The final count accuses Umar of illegally mining gold in streams located within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authorisation, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

A security source disclosed that the three defendants are expected to be formally arraigned before the Federal High Court next week following the conclusion of investigations.

According to the source, investigations into other suspects connected with the alleged offences are still ongoing.

“Others are still being probed as the agency is insistent on diligent investigation,” the source said.