FG begins prosecution of suspects in Oyo school kidnapping

*How suspects conduct training via WhatsApp groups

BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI, IBADAN

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), for the May 15 kidnap of children and teachers of schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo state.

The gunmen had invaded three schools in Yawota and Ahoro Einele in Ogbomoso and abducted students and teachers, killing a teacher and a motorcycle rider.

One of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in captivity.

The captives regained freedom after 56 days in the forest. A combined operation by security operatives led to their release, while a number of security officers laid down their lives in the rescue efforts.

However, on Friday, a 10-count charge was filed against the suspects at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The defendants, all of Suleja Local Government Area of 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 knowledge of the plot, offences said to contravene Sections 26(2) and 16(1) of the Act respectively.

The charge sheet also alleged 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, was accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists and inciting members to commit acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group entitled; “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 10th count accused Umar of engaging in unlawful gold mining at streams within Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The charges read: “Count One: That you, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunua Musa (a.k.a Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar), adults, all of Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, sometime between January and May, 2026, at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence when you conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap school children and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State.

“You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Count two: That you Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunua Musa (a.k.a Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar), adults all of Suleja LGA, Niger State, sometime between January and May, 2026, at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence when you aided Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab in the kidnap of school children and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State.

“You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 26(3) of the Act.

“Count Three: That you, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunua Musa (a.k.a Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar), adults all of Suleja LGA, Niger State, sometime between January and May, 2026 at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence when you aided Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab in the kidnap of school children and teachers in Orire LGA, Oyo State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 26(3) of the Act.

“Count Four: That you, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunua Musa (a.k.a Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar), adults, all of Suleja LGA, Niger State, sometime between January and May, 2026, at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: Concealment in that you had information about Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab as terrorists who are masterminds of the kidnap of school children and teachers of Orire LGA of Oyo State, but failed to report same to the relevant security operatives.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Count Five: That you, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunua Musa (a.k.a Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar), adults, all of Suleja LGA, Niger State, sometime between January and May, 2026 at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: Concealment in that you had information about the kidnap of school children and teachers of Orire LGA of Oyo State by Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab but failed to report same to the relevant security operatives to facilitate their apprehension.

“You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Count Six: That you, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunua Musa (a.k.a Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a Abu Itisar), adults all of Suleja LGA, Niger State, on or about the 2nd June, 2026 at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: You professed to be members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru) a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria.

“You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Count Seven: That you, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), male, adult of Sandako, Suleja LGA, Niger State, on or about July, 2026 at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence in that you provided training and instructions to terrorists via your WhatsApp group titled; ‘The Oneness of Allah Is the Foundation of Peace.’

You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 15 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Count Eight: That you Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), male, adult of Sandako, Suleja LGA, Niger State, on or about July at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence in that you provided training and instructions to terrorists via your whatsapp group titled: ‘The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.’

“You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Count Nine: That you Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), male, adult of Sandako, Suleja LGA, Niger State, on or about July at Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence when you incited your members on your whatsapp group titled: “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” through your preaching to commit acts of terrorism.

“You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Count 10: That you Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), male, adult of Sandako, Suleja LGA, Niger State, sometime between 2024 and 2026 at Chaza Area, Suleja LGA, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence in that you engaged in mining of gold at streams in Chaza area, Suleja LGA, Niger State, without lawful authority.

“You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, LN 2004 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.”