FG Files 10-count Charge against Three Alleged Kidnappers of Oyo Schoolchildren, Teachers

Alex Enumah and Linus Aleke in Abuja

The federal government yesterday filed a 10-count criminal charge against three persons arrested over alleged complicity in the recent kidnap of children and teachers of a school in Orire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo state.The 10-count charge filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, borders on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.

The three defendants: 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). They hail from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.They were 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.The schoolchildren and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, after heavily armed terrorists attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, triggering nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in schools. But they were released on July 10, 2026.The three defendants were 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.