Nigerian Government Arraigns Three Oyo School Kidnap Suspects

The Nigerian Government has arraigned three men accused of involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after they were allegedly arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The suspects named 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) appeared before the Nigerian High Court in Abuja on Friday.

They are facing a 10-count charge filed by the Nigerian Government over alleged terrorism, kidnapping, concealing information, incitement and illegal mining.

According to the charge sheet, the three men allegedly worked with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to plan and carry out the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

Department of State Services (DSS). Credit: Punch.

Furthermore, prosecutors accused them of hiding information about the identities and activities of the alleged kidnappers despite knowing about the plot in advance.

The government further alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the suspects admitted being members of Darul Salam, which authorities described as an affiliate of the banned terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).

The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was separately accused of training suspected terrorists and encouraging acts of terrorism through a WhatsApp group called “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”

He was also charged with illegal gold mining in streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026.

The case is expected to continue before the Nigerian High Court.

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Deborah Akwa

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