The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of pupils and teachers from a school in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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 docked on Friday on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the three defendants, who are all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap the schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The prosecution alleged that the conspiracy violated provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
It further accused the defendants of facilitating the abduction and withholding information on the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite allegedly having prior knowledge of the plot.
The Federal Government also alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the defendants declared allegiance to Darul Salam, said to be affiliated with Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a group banned as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
In addition, Umar was accused of training and instructing terrorist members and using a WhatsApp platform titled The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace to incite acts of terrorism, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The final count accused Umar of engaging in unlawful gold mining in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State between 2024 and 2026, an offence the prosecution said contravenes the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The charges were filed by the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the three defendants were formally arraigned on Friday.
