Oriire Abduction: FG Arraigns Three Suspects on Terrorism, Kidnapping Charges
The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against three suspects over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects — 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 — were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.
According to the charge, the three men, who are residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to abduct pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The Federal Government alleged that the suspects aided the kidnapping operation and failed to disclose information about the identities and activities of those believed to have masterminded the attack despite having knowledge of the plot.
Prosecutors also accused the defendants of professing membership of Darul Salam, described as an affiliate of Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The alleged offences were said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
The first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, was separately accused of providing training and instructions to terrorists and allegedly using a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace” to incite members to commit acts of terrorism.
He was also accused of engaging in illegal gold mining around streams in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government between 2024 and 2026.
The arraignment followed the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after a coordinated security operation involving several security agencies.
Meanwhile, retired Major General Ishola Williams backed Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent investigation into the abduction and rescue operation.
Williams said the governor’s request was consistent with steps taken during previous national security emergencies, although he noted that only the Federal Government, acting through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, could formally invite the United Nations to investigate a security matter.
He also called for greater scrutiny of the security and intelligence failures that allowed the kidnappers to carry out the mass abduction without being detected.
The retired military officer said relevant state security agencies, community leaders and local intelligence networks must explain how the attackers were able to operate successfully.
His Most Eminence, Prophet Solomon Adegboyega Alao, also praised President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for the rescue of the victims, describing the operation as evidence that Nigerian security forces could overcome the country’s security challenges through effective coordination.
Alao, however, urged the government not to become complacent, noting that many other kidnapped Nigerians were still being held across the country.
He also paid tribute to Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac, the Nigerian Army officer who died during the Oriire rescue operation, and called on the Federal Government to provide adequate support for the families of security personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
