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| The three suspects charged |
The Federal Government on Friday, July 17, 2026, charged three men in connection with the kidnapping of pupils and teachers from a school in Orire Local Government Area, Oyo State.
The accused - 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) - were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 10-count charge.
The charges include terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement, and illegal mining.
According to court papers, the three men, who are from Suleja Local Government Area in Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to abduct schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, in breach of Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They are also accused of assisting the kidnappings and of hiding information about the identities and activities of the suspected masterminds despite being aware of the plot, acts said to violate Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act.
The charge sheet also alleged that the trio, on or about June 2, 2026, professed membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Act.
In separate counts, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, is specifically accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists and inciting members to commit acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” offences said to contravene Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The tenth count accused Umar of engaging in unlawful gold mining at streams within Chaza area of Suleja LGA between 2024 and 2026, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
According to a security source, the suspects are expected to appear in court next week having concluded their investigation.
“Others are still being probed as the Agency is insistent on diligent investigation,” the source added.
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