Jelili Gbadamosi
The Federal Government has filed a 10-count charge against three men accused of involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, alleging links to a proscribed terrorist group and other criminal offences.
The defendants 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 on allegations bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, incitement, and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly conspired between January and May 2026 with three other individuals identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab to orchestrate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Prosecutors further alleged that the trio assisted in carrying out the kidnapping and deliberately withheld information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds from security agencies despite being aware of the plot.
The Federal Government also accused the three men of professing membership of Darul Salam, described in court documents as an affiliate of the outlawed Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an organisation designated as a terrorist group in Nigeria.
Separate charges were filed against the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, accusing him of using a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to allegedly recruit, train and encourage individuals to engage in terrorist activities.
He is also accused of unlawfully mining gold in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, between 2024 and 2026 without legal authorisation.
The charges were brought under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source familiar with the investigation said the suspects are expected to be arraigned next week following the conclusion of investigations into their activities.
The source added that investigations are continuing into the roles of other individuals believed to be connected to the alleged crimes, noting that authorities are focused on ensuring a thorough and diligent prosecution.
