The Federal Government has arraigned three men over the abduction of Oyo schoolchildren and teachers, charging them with terrorism and kidnapping offences
The Federal Government has filed a 10-count charge against three men accused of involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday over allegations bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Musa, known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Sani, known as Abu Itisar, are all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
The prosecution alleged that the suspects conspired with Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May to carry out the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
According to the Federal Government, the alleged conspiracy contravened Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were also accused of aiding the abduction and withholding information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite allegedly being aware of the plot.
The case comes after the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, who were later rescued following weeks in captivity.
Details later…