FG charges three suspects linked to Oyo school abduction

The federal government has filed criminal charges against three men over their alleged roles in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a 10-count charge brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar) were accused of offences including terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement, and illegal mining.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants — all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State — allegedly conspired with three others, identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab, between January and May 2026 to carry out the abductions in Oriire.

The government further alleged that the trio supported the operation and withheld critical information about the identities and activities of the suspected masterminds despite being aware of the plot.

They were also accused of failing to disclose intelligence about the planned attack to security agencies, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In another count, the defendants were said to have, on or about June 2, 2026, claimed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

In a separate allegation, Abdulrazak Umar was accused of providing training and guidance to terrorist elements through a WhatsApp group named “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”.

He was alleged to have used the platform to incite members to commit acts of terrorism, an offence said to contravene provisions of both the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Umar was also accused of engaging in illegal gold mining activities in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority.

The alleged mining offence was said to be contrary to section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

A security source indicated that the suspects are expected to be arraigned next week following the conclusion of investigations.

“Others are still being probed as the agency is insistent on diligent investigation,” the source said.

On May 15, armed attackers stormed three schools in Oriire LGA, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal. Two individuals were killed during the incident.

Days later, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed while in captivity.

On July 10, the Federal Government announced that all abducted victims had been rescued following a coordinated security operation.