FG charges three suspects over Oyo school abduction
The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against three men over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The 10-count charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, names 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.
The defendants are facing charges bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the three men allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to abduct pupils and teachers in Oriire.
The Federal Government also accused them of aiding the abduction and concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite allegedly having prior knowledge of the plot.
Prosecutors further alleged that the suspects failed to report details of the planned attack and those behind it to security agencies, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In a separate count, the government alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, which it described as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).
The charge also alleges that Umar used a WhatsApp group named The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace to provide training and instructions to terrorists and incite members to commit acts of terrorism. The offence is said to contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Umar is also accused of illegally mining gold in streams within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority, contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source said the suspects are expected to be arraigned next week following the conclusion of investigations.
The source added that investigations are continuing into the alleged roles of other suspects connected to the case.
Background
Gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA on May 15, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, while two people were killed during the attack.
One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed by the kidnappers while in captivity.
On July 10, the Federal Government announced that all the abductees had been rescued through a joint security operation.
