The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the 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 Itisa, pleaded not guilty to a six-count terrorism charge.
The charges, filed by the Federal Government in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, border on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorist activities and concealment of information relating to terrorist operations.
According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly instructed members of the Ansaru terrorist group to abduct and kill victims across Nigeria if they were arrested by security agencies, with the intention of forcing the Federal Government to meet their demands.
The prosecution alleged that the directive resulted in the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men kidnapped dozens of pupils and teachers.
The Federal Government further accused the defendants of responsibility for the deaths of two victims, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, who were allegedly beheaded after the abduction.
In addition to the principal allegations, the DSS accused all five defendants of concealing intelligence about the planned terrorist attack and failing to report it to law enforcement authorities.
Umar, Musa and Sani also face separate charges of conspiracy and aiding the alleged kidnapping and killings.
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Following the defendants’ plea, counsel to the prosecution, Dr. Caliatus Eze, applied for their remand in the protective custody of the DSS pending trial.
Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the application and ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody.
The judge, however, directed the security agency to grant the defendants unrestricted access to their legal representatives, permit visits by two members of each defendant’s immediate family, and guarantee they receive adequate medical attention while in custody.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 25, 2026, to commence trial.
The prosecution’s case stems from the May 15 attack on Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area, where about 46 pupils and teachers were abducted.
Most of the victims were later rescued by security operatives after spending nearly two months in captivity, although two captives lost their lives during the incident.
The Federal Government has identified Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization, as being responsible for the attack.
The latest arraignment comes weeks after the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced two senior Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment following their guilty pleas to terrorism financing, kidnapping and other terrorism-related offenses.
