Federal Government Files Criminal Charges Against Alleged Terrorists
The Federal Government has brought 10 criminal charges against three suspected members of a terrorist network linked to the kidnapping of children and teachers in the Orile Local Government Area of Oyo State. This development, announced by the Department of State Services (DSS), took place at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Details of the Charges
The charges pertain to serious offenses including terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement to terrorism, and illegal mining. The accused individuals—Abdulrazaq Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (alias Yunusa bin Musa), and Shams Adam Sani (also referred to as Abu Itisar)—are reported to be residents of Suleja Local Government Area in Niger State.
Alleged Conspiracy and Kidnapping Operations
The indictment alleges that the trio conspired with individuals named Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed, and Ibrahim Habab to execute kidnappings in Orile LGA between January and May 2026. This activity is said to violate Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Furthermore, Umar, Musa, and Sani are accused of facilitating the kidnapping operation while concealing the identities and activities of the alleged mastermind, in contravention of Article 26(2) and Article 16(1) of the same law.
Affiliation with Terrorist Organizations
The Federal Government claims that on June 2, 2026, the suspects misrepresented themselves as members of Darul Salam, a group purportedly linked to the proscribed terrorist organization Jamaat-ul-Asarul Muslimah-fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansar). This is addressed under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
Training and Incitement to Terrorism
Abdulrazaq Umar faces additional charges for allegedly providing training to terrorists and inciting members to commit acts of violence through a WhatsApp group dubbed “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.” These allegations are said to violate Section 15 and Section 2(2)(g) of the Terrorism Act, as well as Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
Illegal Mining Activities
In a separate allegation, Umar is charged with engaging in illegal gold mining activities in a stream located in Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area, reportedly occurring from 2024 to 2026. This is cited as a violation of Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offenses Act.
Next Steps in the Legal Proceedings
According to sources familiar with the case, the defendants are expected to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja in the coming days, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and related criminal activities in the region.
