FG Files Terrorism Charges Against Three DSS Suspects Over Orire School Kidnap
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Government has filed a 10-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against three men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants are 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.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, border on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, incitement to terrorism, provision of terrorist training, cyber-related offences and unlawful mining.
According to the charge sheet, the three defendants, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired between January and May 2026 with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Orire LGA of Oyo State.
The prosecution alleged that the conspiracy contravened Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government further accused the defendants of aiding the principal suspects in carrying out the abduction, an offence punishable under Section 26(3) of the same Act.
The charge also alleged that the trio deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of their terrorist activities and the planned kidnapping.
According to the prosecution, the suspects failed to report the information to relevant security agencies, thereby violating Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were also accused of concealing information that could have assisted security agencies in preventing the kidnapping or facilitating the arrest of those responsible.
In another count, the prosecution alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the three defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge sheet as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The Federal Government maintained that such membership constitutes an offence under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
Separate allegations were made against the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar.
According to the charge sheet, Umar allegedly established and administered a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” through which he was said to have provided training, guidance and operational instructions to members of the terrorist group.
He was also accused of using the platform to incite members through extremist preachings to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to provisions of both the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The tenth count accused Umar of engaging in illegal gold mining at streams in Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The charge sheet indicated that the unlawful mining activities allegedly formed part of the financial activities linked to the investigation.
A security source familiar with the case said investigations into the suspects had been concluded and the defendants would be arraigned before the Federal High Court next week.
According to the source, security agencies are still investigating the roles of other persons connected with the alleged terrorist network.
“Others are still being probed as the agency is insistent on conducting a diligent and comprehensive investigation before taking further action,” the source said.
The filing of the charges follows the recent rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State after a coordinated security operation involving the DSS and other security agencies.
If convicted, the defendants could face severe penalties under Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Cybercrime Act and other applicable laws.
