The Nigerian government has filed 10 terrorism charges against three men in connection with the 15 May abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The charges were filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Suspects and Allegations
The three defendants are 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), all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State. The charges include terrorism, conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, membership in a proscribed terrorist organisation, incitement to terrorism, provision of terrorist training, cyber-related offences, and unlawful mining.
The prosecution alleges that the trio conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Khabab—who are currently at large—to kidnap the pupils and teachers between January and May. They are also accused of aiding the abduction and concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
Membership in Proscribed Group
The charges further allege that the three defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria. Separate allegations against the first defendant, Mr. Umar, accuse him of providing training and instructions to terrorists and inciting members to commit acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group titled "The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace."
Rescue Operation and Arrests
The charges come just a week after the Nigerian military, in collaboration with other security forces, rescued 44 schoolchildren and teachers abducted from three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area. The rescue ended the 56-day captivity of the survivors, who were seized on 15 May. Two of the three abducted teachers were killed in captivity: Michael Oyedokun was beheaded days after the abduction, and Pastor John Olaleye was also killed. Three security personnel—Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (Nigerian Army), Private Silas Musa (81 Battalion, Nigerian Army), and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (Nigeria Police Force)—were killed during the rescue operation in separate gun battles with the kidnappers.
President Bola Tinubu announced that some kidnappers were killed during the rescue and at least eight terrorists were arrested. However, it is not immediately clear if the three charged suspects are among those eight.
Detailed Charges
The charges are as follows: Count one alleges conspiracy to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Counts two and three allege aiding the abduction, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Act. Count four alleges concealment of information about the masterminds, and count five alleges failure to report the planned abduction to security agencies. Count six alleges membership in Darul Salam, an affiliate of Ansaru, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Act.
Counts seven and eight relate only to Mr. Umar, alleging provision of terrorist training via WhatsApp, contrary to Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Act. Count nine accuses Mr. Umar of inciting terrorism through the same WhatsApp group, contrary to Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Count ten accuses Mr. Umar of unlawful gold mining in streams within the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Background of the Abductions
On 15 May, gunmen abducted 39 pupils and six teachers from two primary schools and one secondary school in Oriire Local Government Area. One teacher was killed during the attack. The incident prompted a joint security operation after President Tinubu directed the victims' release. After 56 days, the Presidency announced on 10 July that all abducted pupils and teachers had been rescued. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that the rescue followed a coordinated operation leading to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers.
