The Nigerian Government has filed a 10-count terrorism-related charge against three men over the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar), were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja with offences including terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the suspects 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.
Prosecutors further alleged that the trio assisted in carrying out the abduction and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
The government also accused the defendants of failing to report information that could have led to the arrest of the suspected terrorists.
In another count, the three men were alleged to have professed membership of Darul Salam, said to be affiliated with the proscribed terrorist group Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru).
Abdulrazak Umar was separately accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace and inciting members to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrime Act.
He also faces a separate charge of engaging in illegal gold mining in streams within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, between 2024 and 2026.
A security source disclosed that the three suspects are expected to be arraigned in court next week following the conclusion of investigations, while inquiries into other suspects are ongoing.