 |
| A combo image of the DSS logo and a gavel |
The defendants are also alleged to have played a role in the killing of two victims during the May 2026 Oriire attack.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arraigned five men over their alleged involvement in the May 15, 2026, abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo
The defendants are also alleged to have been involved in the killing of two of the victims.
They were re-arraigned on a seven-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
The five men are accused of belonging to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), a proscribed terrorist organisation.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the DSS legal team, urged the court to commence the defendants’ trial immediately in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
He also requested that the identities of the prosecution witnesses be protected and that they be permitted to testify while wearing masks for security reasons.
Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the applications.
Justice Salim Ibrahim subsequently granted the requests made by the DSS counsel.
What The Charges Allege
According to the amended charge, Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas allegedly instructed the other three defendants, whom they described as their “foot soldiers,” to abduct and kill Nigerians in different parts of the country if they were arrested.
The prosecution alleged that the directive resulted in the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.
The defendants were also accused of involvement in the deaths of Oyedokun and Olaleye, with the charge alleging that Olaleye was decapitated.
The prosecution further accused the defendants of conspiring with others to abduct about 46 schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Three of the defendants — Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani — were separately charged with allegedly aiding the kidnapping.
Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas were also accused of concealing information about an impending terrorist act linked to the May 15, 2026, abduction and the alleged killing of two victims.
The charges were filed under various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Oriire Kidnap
The attack took place on May 15, 2026, when gunmen stormed three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Community Grammar School in Esiele.
During the attack, the assailants abducted several pupils and teachers from the schools.
The remaining victims were eventually rescued after 56 days in captivity following a coordinated security operation. The Federal Government and military authorities said no ransom was paid for their release.
The case is expected to continue before the Federal High Court.