The Federal Government has arraigned three suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services.
They 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, Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab, to carry out the abduction between January and May 2026, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution also accused the defendants of aiding the execution of the abduction and deliberately concealing vital information about the plot despite prior knowledge.
In one of the counts, the Federal Government alleged that the defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The prosecution further alleged that Abdulrazak Umar played a leading role by providing training and operational guidance to members of the group. He was also accused of inciting acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
In addition to terrorism-related charges, Umar is facing allegations of illegal mining. He is accused of unlawfully mining gold in streams located in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State between 2024 and 2026.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism Act, the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The Federal Government is expected to present evidence as the trial proceeds, while the court will determine the guilt or innocence of the defendants based on the evidence before it.
Pic: Oyo Affairs
.jpg)
0 Comments