The Federal Government has filed a 10-count terrorism charge against three suspected members of a terrorist network over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, including 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), were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
According to the charge sheet seen by TPCN, the suspects allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap 39 pupils and seven teachers in Oriire LGA.
They were also accused of aiding the abduction and concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite prior knowledge of the plot.
Prosecutors further alleged that the three defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist organisation proscribed in Nigeria, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Separate charges were filed against Abdulrazak Umar, who was accused of using a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to provide training, instructions and extremist messages intended to recruit and incite members to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism Act and the Cybercrime Act.
Umar was also charged with illegally mining gold at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority.
A security source said the suspects would be arraigned before the Federal High Court next week following the conclusion of investigations, adding that more suspects remained under investigation.
“Others are still being probed as the agency is insistent on diligent investigation,” the source told TPCN.
The charges come days after security forces rescued the abducted pupils and teachers following 56 days in captivity.
