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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Federal Government on Friday charged three men – Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a. Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a. Abu Itisar), over the recent kidnap of children and teachers from a school in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State.
The 10-count charge, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, borders on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
The defendants, all of Suleja LGA, 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, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. They are further alleged to have aided the kidnap of the school children and teachers, 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 2nd June 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.
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,” offences 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.
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.
