Court Hears Oyo School Kidnap Terror Case

The Federal Government on Friday arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the kidnap of school children and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar), were slammed with a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement, and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the three men, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap school children and teachers in Oyo State. The offences are said to be contrary to Sections 26(1), 26(2), and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants aided the abduction and concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
Court documents also accused the trio of professing membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria, on or about June 2, 2026, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Terrorism Act.
In addition, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists and inciting members to commit acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” The alleged offences are said to violate Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The final count alleged that Umar engaged in unlawful gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
A security source disclosed that the defendants are expected to return to court next week following the conclusion of investigations, adding that other suspects are still under investigation as authorities continue to pursue the case diligently.