Three suspected terrorists accused of masterminding the abduction of 44 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are facing life imprisonment after the Federal Government filed terrorism charges against them before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The 10-count charge, instituted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, named the defendants as Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly conspired with other persons still at large between January and May 2026 to carry out terrorist activities, including the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

The Federal Government alleged that the defendants participated in the abduction of the victims and threatened to kill them unless a ransom was paid.

Prosecutors also accused the suspects of belonging to a proscribed terrorist organisation and providing material support for terrorist operations.

The charge further alleged that the defendants concealed information relating to terrorism, incited terrorist activities, engaged in cyber-related offences to advance terrorist operations and carried out illegal mining to finance terrorism.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences violate several provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and other applicable laws.

Under the Act, anyone convicted of kidnapping or hostage-taking as an act of terrorism faces life imprisonment where no death occurs. However, where victims die as a result of the offence, the law prescribes the death penalty.

The development comes after two teachers abducted during the May 15 attack were reportedly killed while in captivity.

The defendants are expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court, where they will take their pleas to the charges.

Meanwhile, retired Major General Ishola Williams has backed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the abduction and the subsequent rescue operation.

The Nigerian Army had earlier announced the arrest of eight suspected terrorists during the operation that led to the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after 56 days in captivity.