The Department of State Services has re-arraigned five men accused of involvement in the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a seven-count amended charge filed by the Federal Government.
They were also accused of complicity in the deaths of two victims of the attack. All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The accused are Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani. The DSS alleged that they are members of the proscribed Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, popularly known as Ansaru.
According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly directed the other three defendants, described as their foot soldiers, to abduct and kill Nigerians if they were arrested.
The prosecution alleged that the directive resulted in the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire LGA.
The defendants were also accused of involvement in the deaths of two of the victims, identified as Oyedokun and Olaleye. The charge alleged that Olaleye was decapitated.
Another count accused the defendants of failing to disclose information to security agencies about an imminent terrorist act and planned abduction.
The prosecution further alleged that the five defendants conspired with others to abduct the pupils and teachers.
The charges were filed under provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the DSS legal team, asked the court to commence the trial immediately in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
He also requested that the identities of prosecution witnesses be protected and that they be allowed to testify while wearing masks.
Defence counsel Bala Dakum did not oppose the applications, and Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the requests.
The Oriire attack occurred on May 15 when gunmen invaded three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities. The abducted pupils and teachers were later released after 56 days in captivity following a joint security operation. The Federal Government and military authorities said no ransom was paid for their release.