By Editor
The Federal Government has filed terrorism-related charges against three men accused of participating in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects, identified as 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), are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining.
According to court documents filed on Friday, the three defendants, all natives of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to carry out the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The Federal Government said the alleged offences contravene Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecutors further alleged that the suspects aided the kidnapping operation and deliberately concealed information regarding the identities and activities of those said to have masterminded the attack, contrary to Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act.
The charge also accuses the three men of professing membership of Darul Salam, which the government described as an affiliate of Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria. The alleged offence was said to have occurred on or about June 2, 2026, in violation of Section 25(1) of the Terrorism Act.
In addition, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was specifically accused of providing training and operational instructions to terrorist members, as well as using a WhatsApp group titled "The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace" to incite acts of terrorism.
The prosecution said the allegation violates Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015..