The Federal Government has arraigned three men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects — Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (alias Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (alias Abu Itisar) — were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the three 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 kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution also accused them of assisting the alleged masterminds in carrying out the abduction and deliberately withholding information about the planned attack and the identities of those involved despite allegedly having prior knowledge.
The Federal Government further alleged that the trio declared allegiance to Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an offence under the Terrorism Act.
In addition to the joint charges, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was accused of operating a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” where he allegedly provided instructions, training and extremist messages intended to encourage terrorist activities.
He was also accused of unlawfully engaging in gold mining in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without the required legal authorisation.
The charges include conspiracy to commit terrorism, aiding kidnapping, concealing information about terrorist activities, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, providing support and training for terrorists, cyber-related incitement, and illegal mining.
A security source disclosed that the suspects were arraigned after the DSS concluded its investigation into their alleged roles in the kidnapping incident, adding that investigations are continuing into other individuals believed to be connected to the case.
According to the source, additional suspects are still being investigated as the agency remains committed to ensuring a thorough and comprehensive probe before filing further charges.
