The Federal Government has arraigned three suspected kidnappers before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire 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 charged on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly conspired with other individuals between January and May 2026to kidnap pupils and teachers, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government also alleged that the defendants concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the kidnapping plot.
Prosecutors further accused the trio of professing membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, an offence under the Terrorism Act.
The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was additionally accused of providing terrorist training, inciting acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group and engaging in illegal gold mining in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger Statebetween 2024 and 2026.
The suspects were reportedly arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), while the case continues before the Federal High Court.
