The Federal Government has filed a 10-count charge against three men over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants—Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State—are facing charges including terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the three men allegedly conspired with and assisted suspected masterminds of the abduction between January and May 2026. Prosecutors also alleged that they withheld information that could have led to the arrest of those responsible.
The Federal Government further accused the defendants of professing membership of Darul Salam, which the charge describes as an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.
Abdulrazak Umar is separately accused of providing terrorist training and instructions, as well as inciting acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group. He also faces a charge of engaging in illegal gold mining in Suleja between 2024 and 2026.
The charges were filed under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Cybercrimes Act and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja next week following the conclusion of investigations.
The allegations remain charges before the court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
