The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday re-arraigned five alleged leaders of the proscribed terrorist group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), before the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The defendants were brought before Justice Salim Ibrahim on a seven-count amended charge relating to the May 15, 2026, attack in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, which the prosecution stated resulted in the deaths of two victims: Deacon John Olaleye, who was allegedly beheaded, and Michael Oyedokun.
The suspects are Mahmud Muhammad (aka Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar), Abubakar Abbas (aka Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri), Abdulrazak Umar (aka Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (aka Abu Yunusa Bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (aka Abu Itisar).
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026.
According to the amended charge, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly directed the other defendants to coordinate kidnappings and killings across various parts of the country to compel the Nigerian government to meet the group’s demands.
This directive allegedly culminated in the mass abduction of pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire.
The DSS further accused the defendants of committing terrorism-related offences, including causing the deaths of Olaleye and Oyedokun, withholding information regarding imminent terrorist acts, and facilitating the kidnapping of the schoolchildren and teachers, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Following their not-guilty pleas, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, leading the DSS legal team, requested an immediate commencement of trial, noting that prosecution witnesses were present and ready.
He also applied for the witnesses to wear masks during testimony to protect their identities, a request that went unopposed by defence counsel Bala Dakum and was subsequently granted by Justice Ibrahim.
The court adjourned the matter for trial, while the defendants remain remanded in custody, presumed innocent pending the determination of the charges against them.