The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining.
Umar is also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Musa as Yunusa bin Musa, and Sani as Abu Itisar. All three are from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
Allegations Against the Suspects
The prosecution alleged that the three defendants conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to carry out the abduction. The alleged conspiracy contravened Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government further accused the defendants of aiding the kidnapping and deliberately concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the planned attack.
Additional allegations include professing 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 Terrorism Act.
Abdulrazak Umar faces additional charges, including allegedly 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 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.
The arraignment comes about a week after the abducted pupils and teachers from Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota schools regained their freedom. Gunmen invaded three schools in Oyo on May 15, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers. The attack also claimed the lives of a teacher and a commercial motorcyclist.
One of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in captivity. The captives regained freedom after 56 days in the forest following a combined operation by security operatives.
According to a security source, the suspects are expected to appear in court next week following the conclusion of investigations. The source added that others are still being probed as the agency insists on diligent investigation.
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