Suspects face 10-count charge involving kidnapping, alleged terrorist activities, concealment of information and illegal mining…..
The Federal Government on Friday arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja 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 were brought before the court on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the prosecution, the three defendants, all natives of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to carry out the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State between January and May 2026.
The Federal Government said the alleged offences violate Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecutors also accused the defendants of assisting the kidnappers by withholding information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the planned attack. The charge was filed under Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
In another count, the government alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the three men admitted membership of Darul Salam, which prosecutors described as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a group designated as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria. The allegation was brought under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, faces additional charges. Prosecutors alleged that he trained and instructed members of the terrorist group and used a WhatsApp platform named The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace to encourage acts of terrorism.
The government said those allegations 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.
Umar is also facing a separate charge of allegedly engaging in illegal gold mining at streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026.
The prosecution said the alleged mining activities were carried out in violation of Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The case is expected to proceed before the Federal High Court as the government seeks to prove the allegations against the defendants, who are presumed innocent unless found guilty by the court.
