FG files terrorism, kidnapping charges against three over Oyo school abduction

The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against three men over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, in a case linked to terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The 10-count charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, names Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar) as defendants.

According to court documents, the three suspects, all natives of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, are accused of conspiring with three other individuals — Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab — between January and May 2026 to facilitate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire.

The Federal Government alleged that the defendants aided the kidnapping operation and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.

The charge further stated that the suspects failed to disclose intelligence relating to the planned abduction to security agencies, an offence punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In one of the counts, prosecutors accused the trio of professing membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist organisation proscribed by the Nigerian government. The alleged offence was said to have occurred on or about June 2, 2026.

The government also singled out Umar for additional offences, alleging that he used a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to provide ideological training and instructions to terrorist elements.

According to the charge sheet, Umar allegedly employed the platform to encourage and incite members to engage in terrorist activities, contrary to provisions of both the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Beyond the terrorism-related allegations, Umar is also accused of illegally mining gold in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authorisation, an offence said to violate Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

A security source familiar with the investigation disclosed that the suspects are expected to be arraigned next week following the completion of preliminary investigations.

The source added that investigators are still pursuing other leads connected to the case.

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

The charges stem from the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA, during which armed men abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal. Two persons were reportedly killed during the raid.

The incident drew national outrage after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly murdered by the kidnappers while in captivity.

However, on July 10, the Federal Government announced that all remaining abductees had been rescued through a coordinated security operation involving multiple agencies.

The case is expected to test the government’s resolve to prosecute those linked to school kidnappings and terrorism-related activities, which remain major security concerns across parts of the country