Orion Reports

The Federal Government has arraigned three alleged members of the terrorist group Ansaru before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar (Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar), are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining. The prosecution alleged that the trio conspired with three others to execute the abduction, withheld information about the plot, and failed to notify security agencies despite prior knowledge of the attack. The charges arise from the May 2026 school kidnapping in Oriire, during which dozens of pupils and teachers were abducted before they were later rescued in a security operation.

Grief has enveloped families in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area following the killing of five Fulani youths in an attack on February 19 in Plateau State. The victims were returning from Dorowan Babuje when they were ambushed at about 7:00 p.m. while passing through the Jong Fulani community. Three of those identified are Tahiru Muhammad, Jibrin Salisu, and Abdulmumin Isyak. According to community sources, one of the victims was beheaded, while others were shot. Security personnel later recovered empty 7.62mm Special cartridges and a motorcycle at the scene. Family members described the victims as young men involved in pastoral activities and community life. Relatives gathered overnight as news of the killings spread, with local leaders calling for calm while urging security agencies to ensure accountability. Livelihoods Under Threat Beyond the loss of lives, residents say the continued targeting of livestock is worsening hardship for pastoral families whose income depends largely on ...

A Department of State Services (DSS) witness on Tuesday gave detailed testimony before the Federal High Court in Abuja, describing how suspected ISWAP members allegedly planned and carried out the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. Testifying under protection, the witness said investigations revealed that those arrested belonged to an Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) cell operating around Okene/Adavi LGA in Kogi State and parts of Ose LGA in Ondo State. The cell, he said, was coordinated by a man identified as Odoba, who allegedly moved around Ogaminana in Adavi LGA. According to the witness, the attack was planned days earlier. He told the court that on May 30, 2022, Odoba convened a meeting at Government Secondary School, Ogaminana. Present at the meeting was Al-Qasim Idris and other members of the cell. During that meeting, Odoba allegedly instructed them to prepare for an attack on the Catholic church in Owo and specifically dir...