The Federal Government has arraigned three suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.
Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a. Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a. Abu Itisar) appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 10-count charge covering terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information and incitement. The charges were filed last week following their arrest.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to carry out the abduction. The alleged offence falls under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecutors further accused the trio of aiding the kidnapping and withholding information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds, offences brought under Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act.
The charge sheet also alleges that on or about June 2, 2026, the three defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described by prosecutors as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria — an offence under Section 25(1) of the Act.
In separate counts, Umar alone faces accusations of training and inciting terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” allegedly used to radicalise members and push them toward violence. These charges cite Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act, alongside Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
A final count accuses Umar of illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja between 2024 and 2026, in violation of Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source said investigations have been concluded and the suspects are expected back in court next week, adding that other suspects linked to the case remain under investigation.
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