The Federal Government on Friday filed a 10-count charge against three men over the abduction of school children and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The suspects were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement, and illegal mining.
The defendants were identified as Abdulrazak Umar, who is 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. All three individuals are residents of the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to the prosecution, the trio allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap school children and teachers in Oyo State. The sheet stated that this action violates Section 26(1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. The suspects were further accused of aiding the abduction and concealing vital information regarding the identities and operations of the masterminds despite having full knowledge of the plot, violating Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the same Act.
Furthermore, the prosecution alleged that the defendants professed membership of Darul Salam on or about June 2, 2026. The group is described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan, a proscribed terrorist organization in Nigeria. This offense contravenes Section 25(1) of the Terrorism Act.
In separate counts, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, faced specific accusations of providing training and instructions to terrorists. He was also accused of inciting members to execute acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group named The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace. The prosecution maintained that these actions violate Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Act 2015.
Additionally, the 10th count accused Umar of engaging in illegal gold mining at streams within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority. This act is said to contravene Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source disclosed that the suspects are expected to appear in court next week following the conclusion of the investigation into their activities. Commenting on the development, the source stated, "Others are still being probed as the Agency is insistent on diligent investigation,".
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