Oyo School Kidnap: DSS Re-arraigns Ansaru Leaders on 7-Count Terrorism Charge
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), over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of about 46 pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants were re-arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, murder and failure to disclose information about impending terrorist activities.
The prosecution alleged that the incident occurred on May 15, 2026, and resulted in the death of two victims, including Deacon John Olaleye, who was allegedly beheaded, and Michael Oyedokun.
The defendants—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 and Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar—each pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them.
The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026 and is before Justice Salim Ibrahim.
According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly directed the other defendants, described as their foot soldiers, to kidnap and kill innocent Nigerians in different parts of the country in the event of their arrest by Nigerian authorities.
The prosecution further alleged that the directive was intended to put pressure on the government to accede to the demands of the terrorist group.
It alleged that the directive resulted in the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.
The alleged offences were said to contravene various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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Following the defendants’ pleas, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who is leading the DSS legal team, asked the court to allow the trial to commence immediately.
Oyedepo told the court that the prosecution witnesses were ready and available to testify.
The prosecution also applied for measures to protect the identities of the witnesses, including allowing them to testify while wearing masks.
The application was not opposed by defence counsel, Bala Dakum, and was subsequently granted by Justice Ibrahim.
Among the allegations contained in the amended charge is that Muhammad and Abbas, sometime between 2025 and 2026 in Abuja, allegedly ordered Umar, Musa and Sani to kidnap and kill Nigerians in different parts of the country should they be arrested.
The prosecution alleged that the order was connected to the kidnapping of the pupils and teachers in Oriire and constituted an act of terrorism under the 2022 Act.
In another count, all five defendants were accused of causing the death of Olaleye by decapitation. They were also separately accused of causing the death of Oyedokun.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants had information concerning imminent acts of terrorism and the kidnapping of about 46 persons but failed to disclose such information to law enforcement or security authorities.
Umar, Musa and Sani were additionally accused of aiding other alleged members of the group in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire.
The prosecution said the alleged conduct constituted offences under the relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, placing the burden on the prosecution to establish the allegations against them at trial.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter for further proceedings.
By PRNigeria
