Federal Government Files Charges in Oyo Kidnapping Case
The Federal Government has charged three men—Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (alias Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (alias Abu Itisar)—for the kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State. The 10-count charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, include terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement, and illegal mining.
Details of the Alleged Conspiracy
The defendants, all residents of Suleja LGA in Niger State, are accused of conspiring with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap school children and teachers. They are also alleged to have aided the kidnapping and concealed information about the masterminds despite knowing the plot. These actions are said to violate Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Membership in Proscribed Terrorist Organization
According to the charge sheet, on or about June 2, 2026, the trio professed membership in Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. This is contrary to Section 25(1) of the Terrorism Act. The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, faces additional charges for providing training and instructions to terrorists and inciting members via a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” These offenses contravene Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act and Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Illegal Mining Allegations
In the tenth count, Umar is accused of engaging in unlawful gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja LGA between 2024 and 2026, violating Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. The suspects are expected to appear in court next week.
The charges read in part: “COUNT 1: That you ABDULRAZAK UMAR, YUNUSA MUSA, and SHAMSU ADAMU SANI… sometime between January-May 2026 at Suleja LGA, Niger State, conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap school children and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism Act.” Similar counts detail aiding the kidnapping and concealment of information.
Count 6 states: “That you… on or about the 2nd June 2026, professed to be members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist group.” Counts 7-9 focus on Umar’s role in training and incitement via WhatsApp. Count 10 alleges unlawful gold mining without lawful authority.
