By Ado Oyeyemi
The Federal Government has arraigned three suspected terrorists over their alleged involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, 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, were charged before the court on Friday on a 10 count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the suspects, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other persons identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The Federal Government said the alleged offences contravene Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution further accused the defendants of aiding the abduction and deliberately concealing information relating to the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot, contrary to Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act.
The government also alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the three suspects declared allegiance to Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, popularly known as Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The alleged act is said to violate Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
In addition, the first defendant, Umar, was accused of providing training and operational guidance to members of the terrorist group and using a WhatsApp platform titled The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace to incite members to carry out terrorist activities.
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The alleged offences are also said to contravene Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The case forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
