The Federal Government has filed a 10-count criminal charge against three men accused of involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, border on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, membership of a proscribed terrorist group, incitement, cybercrime and illegal mining.
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. All three are from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed terrorists attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in schools. The victims were eventually rescued on July 10, 2026.
The Federal Government alleged that the three defendants aided the kidnappers and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
Prosecutors further accused the suspects of professing membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an offence punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, faces additional charges of allegedly providing training and operational instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
He is also accused of using the platform to incite members to commit acts of terrorism, in violation of the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
In a separate count, Umar was charged with unlawful gold mining between 2024 and 2026 at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State without lawful authority, contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source familiar with the investigation disclosed that the suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court next week following the conclusion of investigations.
The source added that investigations are ongoing and that other suspects linked to the case remain under scrutiny.
“The investigation is continuing, and others are still being probed as the agency is determined to ensure diligent prosecution of everyone connected with the offences,” the source said.
If convicted, the defendants face penalties prescribed under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, the Cybercrime Act and other applicable laws.
