The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The suspects are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
The defendants, identified as Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, are alleged to have conspired with other suspects between January and May 2026 to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers. Prosecutors also accused them of concealing information about the alleged masterminds and professing membership of Darul Salam, said to be affiliated with the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.
According to the charge sheet, Abdulrazak Umar is further accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group, inciting acts of terrorism, and engaging in illegal gold mining in Niger State without lawful authority.
The case comes days after the kidnapped pupils and teachers regained their freedom following weeks in captivity, marking another major step in the government’s efforts to prosecute those allegedly linked to the abduction.
Daily Times
