The Federal Government has arraigned three suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, marking a significant step in the prosecution of one of the country’s recent high-profile school kidnapping cases.
The defendants — Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar — were formally charged on a 10-count indictment bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge filed by the Federal Government, the three men, all natives of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to orchestrate the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants knowingly participated in acts linked to terrorism and facilitated the abduction operation, offences said to be contrary to the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charges also accuse the suspects of concealing criminal activities, inciting unlawful acts and engaging in illegal mining, offences the government says formed part of a broader network of criminal operations.
The case is expected to proceed before the Federal High Court in Abuja as the government intensifies efforts to prosecute individuals accused of terrorism-related offences and the growing wave of school kidnappings across Nigeria.
