By Sunday Ameh
The Federal Government has arraigned three suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement to terrorism, and illegal mining.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly conspired with three others identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab to plan and execute the abduction between January and May 2026, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government further alleged that the defendants aided the execution of the kidnapping operation and deliberately concealed vital information about the plot despite having prior knowledge of it.
One of the charges accuses the defendants of professing membership of Darul Salam, which prosecutors described as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The prosecution also alleged that Abdulrazak Umar played a leading role in the group by providing training and operational guidance to its members. He was further accused of using a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to incite acts of terrorism.
In addition to the terrorism-related charges, Umar is facing allegations of illegal mining. He is accused of unlawfully mining gold in streams within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State between 2024 and 2026.
The offences are said to contravene the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The Federal Government is expected to present its evidence as the trial progresses, while the court will determine the guilt or innocence of the defendants based on the evidence presented before it.
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