FG Arraigns Three Over Oyo Schoolchildren, Teachers’ Kidnap

The Federal Government has arraigned three suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The suspects, 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, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.

The defendants, who are all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, were accused of conspiring with other individuals, including Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab, between January and May 2026 to abduct pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

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The Federal Government alleged that the offences contravened provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, particularly Section 26(1), which deals with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts.

The charge sheet further accused the suspects of assisting in the abduction of the schoolchildren and teachers, as well as withholding information about the identities and activities of those allegedly responsible for the operation despite having knowledge of the plot.

The offences were said to be contrary to Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism Act, which relate to aiding terrorist activities and failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.

The prosecution also alleged that the suspects, on or about June 2, 2026, claimed affiliation with Darul Salam, described as a faction linked to Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist organisation proscribed in Nigeria.

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The alleged offence was said to have violated Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In separate counts, the first defendant, Umar, was specifically accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists and using a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to incite members to commit acts of terrorism.

The prosecution said the alleged offences contravened Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

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Umar was also accused of engaging in illegal gold mining activities at streams within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State between 2024 and 2026, an offence said to violate Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The arraignment followed investigations into the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that led to a major security operation and the eventual rescue of the victims after weeks in captivity.

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