Oyo School Kidnap: FG Files 10-Count Terrorism Charges Against 3 Suspects
The Federal Government has filed a 10-count terrorism charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against three men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping 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 — are facing charges bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, incitement to terrorism, provision of terrorist training, cyber-related offences and unlawful mining.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), allege that the three suspects conspired between January and May 2026 with three other individuals identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to orchestrate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area.
According to the charge sheet, all six suspects are residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, and the alleged conspiracy contravenes Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government further accused the defendants of aiding the principal suspects in executing the abduction, an offence punishable under Section 26(3) of the same Act.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendants deliberately concealed information about the identities, activities and plans of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of their terrorist operations and the planned kidnapping.
It maintained that the suspects failed to disclose the information to relevant security agencies, thereby violating Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. They were further accused of withholding information that could have assisted security agencies in preventing the abduction or apprehending those responsible.
Read Also:
In another count, the prosecution alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the three defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge sheet as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist organisation proscribed in Nigeria.
The Federal Government argued that membership of the group constitutes an offence under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
Separate charges were brought against the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar.
According to the charge sheet, Umar allegedly established and administered a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” through which he reportedly provided training, guidance and operational directives to members of the terrorist group.
He was also accused of using the platform to disseminate extremist messages and incite members to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
In the 10th count, Umar was accused of engaging in illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The prosecution alleged that the unlawful mining activities formed part of the financial network uncovered during investigations into the suspected terrorist activities.
A security source familiar with the case disclosed that investigations had been concluded and the defendants are expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court next week.
The source added that investigations were continuing into the roles of other individuals suspected to be connected to the alleged terrorist network.
“Others are still being probed as the agency is insistent on conducting a diligent and comprehensive investigation before taking further action,” the source said.
The filing of the charges comes after the successful rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State during a coordinated operation involving the DSS and other security agencies.
If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, the Cybercrime Act and other applicable Nigerian laws.
By PRNigeria
