The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arraigned five alleged members of the proscribed terrorist group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, also known as Ansaru, over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The five defendants appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, where they were confronted with a seven-count amended charge relating to the alleged attack on May 15, 2026.
The prosecution linked the case to the reported abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire. The schools named in the charge are Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
The DSS also alleged that two people died in connection with the incident. They were identified as Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun.
The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
After the amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, was read to them, all five defendants pleaded not guilty.
DSS alleges planned attacks
The prosecution alleged that Muhammad and Abbas instructed the other defendants to carry out kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country if they were arrested by government authorities.
According to the DSS, the alleged directive was intended to mount pressure on the government to meet the demands of the group.
The prosecution further alleged that the directive was connected to the abduction of pupils and teachers from the three schools in Oriire.
The seven-count charge contains allegations under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Among the allegations are causing the deaths of Olaleye and Oyedokun, failing to disclose information about planned terrorist activities and assisting in the alleged abduction of schoolchildren and teachers.
One of the counts accuses the defendants of causing Olaleye’s death by decapitation, while another relates to the alleged death of Oyedokun.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendants had information about an impending terrorist attack and the planned abduction of about 46 people but failed to report it to law enforcement or security authorities.
Umar, Musa and Sani were further accused of assisting other alleged members of the group in carrying out the abduction.
Court approves witness protection request
Following the defendants’ pleas, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who is leading the DSS legal team, urged the court to allow the trial to begin.
Oyedepo informed the court that the prosecution witnesses were available and ready to testify.
He also requested measures to protect the identities of the witnesses, including permission for them to wear masks while giving evidence.
Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not object to the application.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently granted the request, allowing the witnesses to testify under the approved protective arrangement.
The case will now proceed to trial, where the prosecution is expected to present witnesses and other evidence to support its allegations.
The defendants have denied the allegations by pleading not guilty. Their guilt or otherwise will be determined by the court based on the evidence presented during the proceedings.
