The Federal Government has filed a 10-count charge against three suspects over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from a school in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants — Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa, popularly called 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 court documents, the three suspects allegedly conspired with other individuals identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to plan and execute the kidnapping between January and May 2026.
The Federal Government further accused the trio of assisting the kidnappers and deliberately withholding information that could have helped security agencies prevent the attack or arrest those responsible.
Prosecutors also alleged that the suspects admitted membership of Darul Salam, said to be affiliated with the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, an offence under Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In addition to the joint charges, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, faces separate allegations of providing training and instructions to terrorist elements through a WhatsApp platform allegedly used to promote extremist ideology.
He is also accused of encouraging acts of terrorism through messages circulated on the platform.
The final charge accuses Umar of engaging in illegal gold mining in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, without lawful authorisation between 2024 and 2026.
Security sources disclosed that the suspects are expected to be arraigned before the court next week following the conclusion of investigations, while inquiries into the activities of other suspected collaborators are still ongoing.
The charges stem from the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage before security forces eventually rescued the victims.
The Federal Government says it is determined to prosecute all individuals linked to the crime and ensure those responsible face the full weight of the law.
