The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the alleged killing of two captives.
The defendants — Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, alias Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar — pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorism and concealment of information.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, the Federal Government alleged that Muhammad and Abbas directed members of the Ansaru terrorist group to kidnap and kill victims across the country if they were arrested, in a bid to compel the government to accede to their demands.
The prosecution further alleged that the directive culminated in the May 15 attack in Oriire LGA, during which about 46 pupils and teachers were abducted from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School.
The Federal Government accused the suspects of causing the deaths of two victims, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, who were allegedly beheaded after the abduction.
The defendants were also accused of concealing information about the planned terrorist attack and failing to disclose it to security agencies, while Umar, Musa and Sani face additional charges of conspiracy and aiding the alleged kidnapping and killings.
Following their plea, prosecuting counsel, Dr. Caliatus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in the protective custody of the DSS pending the commencement of trial.
Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the application and ordered that the suspects be remanded in DSS custody.
The judge directed that the defendants be given unhindered access to their lawyers, two members of their immediate families and adequate medical care before adjourning the case until September 25 for trial.
The Oriire school attack occurred on May 15 when armed men invaded three schools in Oyo State and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers. Most of the victims were rescued by security forces after spending nearly two months in captivity, while two captives were killed during the incident.
The Federal Government has linked the attack to the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated organisation.
The latest arraignment comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced two senior Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment following their guilty plea to terrorism financing, kidnapping and other terrorism-related offences.
