‎FG arraigns 3 men over Oyo school kidnap

…charges them with terrorism and Ansaru membership
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‎ABUJA — The Federal Government on Friday arraigned three men over the recent abduction of school children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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‎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 charged before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
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‎According to the charge sheet, the three men, all of Suleja LGA in Niger State, are alleged to have conspired with one Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap school children and teachers in Oyo State, an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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‎They are further alleged to have aided the kidnap and to have concealed information regarding the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having knowledge of the plot, offences said to contravene Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act respectively.
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‎The charge sheet also alleges that the trio, on or about June 2, 2026, professed membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan, Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Act.
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‎In separate counts, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, is specifically accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists, and of inciting members to commit acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” The offences are said to contravene Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
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‎The tenth count accuses Umar of engaging in unlawful gold mining at streams within the Chaza area of Suleja LGA between 2024 and 2026, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
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