The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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 — are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.

According to the charge filed on Friday, the three suspects, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to abduct schoolchildren and teachers in Orire LGA, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants aided the abduction and deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot. The offences are said to violate Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The charge sheet also accused the trio of professing membership of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), on or about June 2, 2026, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Act.

In separate counts, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, is accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists through a WhatsApp group titled **"The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace." He is also alleged to have used the platform to incite members to commit acts of terrorism, offences said to contravene Sections 15 and 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

The final count alleges that Umar engaged in illegal gold mining at streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired to kidnap the victims, provided support for the operation, failed to report information capable of preventing the crime or leading to the arrest of the alleged masterminds, and declared membership of a terrorist organisation banned in Nigeria.

The prosecution further alleged that Umar operated the WhatsApp platform to recruit, train and radicalise members while encouraging acts of terrorism.

A security source disclosed that the three suspects are expected to appear before the Federal High Court next week following the conclusion of investigations.

The source added that investigations are ongoing, with other suspects still under probe as security agencies continue what was described as a diligent investigation into the case.

The defendants have not entered their pleas, and the allegations remain subject to determination by the court.