Five suspected members of the dreaded Ansaru terrorist group have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, with the prosecution accusing them of masterminding kidnappings and killings.
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday brought the five suspects before the court over the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
They were also accused of involvement in the alleged killing of two victims during the attack.
The defendants are 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.
The suspects 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 instructed members of Ansaru to kidnap and kill people across the country if they were arrested by security agencies.
The prosecution alleged that the directive was aimed at putting pressure on the government to meet the group’s demands.
The first count accused the defendants of ordering their “foot soldiers” to unleash kidnappings and killings in the event of their arrest.
The prosecution said the alleged offence contravened Section 24 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the same law.
But the allegations became grimmer in the second count.
The Federal Government alleged that the May 15 kidnapping in Oriire LGA ended with the killing of two victims — Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.
The charge alleged that the victims were decapitated after they were abducted.
The DSS also accused the suspects of hiding information about the alleged terrorist plot and failing to alert law enforcement agencies.
Umar, Musa and Sani were separately accused of conspiracy and aiding the alleged kidnapping and killings.
DSS gets custody order
After the defendants pleaded not guilty, prosecution counsel, Dr Caliatus Eze, asked the court to remand them in DSS custody pending trial.
Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the request and ordered that all five suspects remain in DSS custody.
However, the judge directed the security agency to allow the defendants unhindered access to their lawyers and two immediate family members.
The court also ordered that they receive adequate medical care while in custody.
Justice Ibrahim adjourned the case until September 25 for the commencement of trial.
How 46 pupils, teachers were abducted
The case stems from the shocking May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA.
Armed men reportedly invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers.
The victims were held captive for nearly two months before security forces rescued most of them.
However, two captives were allegedly killed during the ordeal.
The Federal Government has linked the attack to Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisation.
The latest arraignment also comes against the backdrop of a major court victory against the group, after the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced two senior Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment.
The two commanders had pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related offences, including terrorism financing and kidnapping.
