The Federal Government has charged three suspects before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers of a school in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The charges, filed in a 10-count charge sheet, border on terrorism-related offences, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
The incident followed the abduction of 14 pupils and four teachers of a school in Orire LGA, Oyo State, on May 15, 2026, before their rescue by security agencies on July 10, 2026.
The development had attracted public concern and prompted security investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident and those allegedly connected to it.
The three defendants — Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar) — all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, were accused in the charge sheet of allegedly conspiring with other individuals to abduct school children and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State, between January and May 2026.
The Federal Government alleged that the defendants aided the abduction and concealed information relating to the alleged activities of those linked to the incident. They were also accused of allegedly professing membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
One of the charges specifically accused Abdulrazak Umar of allegedly providing training and instructions through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”, as well as allegedly inciting members through messages shared on the platform. He was also charged over alleged involvement in unlawful gold mining activities in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State.
The charges read in part: “That you Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a Yunusa bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar), sometime between January and May 2026 at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence when you conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap school children and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State.”
Security sources said the suspects are expected to appear before the court next week following the conclusion of preliminary investigations, adding that further inquiries into other persons connected to the matter are ongoing.
“Others are still being probed as the Department of State Services (DSS) it’s committed to conducting a diligent investigation,” the source said.
Linus Aleke
