DSS re-arraigns five alleged Ansaru leaders over Oyo School kidnap, two deaths

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday re-arraigned five alleged leaders and members of the proscribed terrorist group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of about 46 students and teachers in Oyo State.

The amended charge filed by the DSS alleged that the attack, which occurred on May 15, 2026, in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, also resulted in the death of two people, including the alleged beheading of one Deacon John Olaleye.

The defendants, who each pleaded not guilty to the charges, 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 and Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.

The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, were read to the defendants before Justice Salim Ibrahim.

According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly instructed the other defendants, described as their foot soldiers, to kidnap and kill people in different parts of the country in the event of their arrest by Nigerian authorities.

The prosecution alleged that the directive was aimed at putting pressure on the government to accede to the demands of the terrorist group.

It further alleged that the directive led to the kidnapping of about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Orire LGA.

The defendants were also accused of causing the death of Olaleye by allegedly decapitating him and causing the death of another victim, Michael Oyedokun.

The charges include alleged offences under Sections 24, 24(2)(b), 2(3)(g), 16(1) and 26(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Following the defendants’ pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who is leading the DSS legal team, asked the court to commence the trial immediately.

Oyedepo told the court that the prosecution witnesses were ready and available to testify.

However, the prosecution sought permission for the identities of its witnesses to be protected, asking that they be allowed to wear masks while giving evidence.

The defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the application.

Justice Ibrahim consequently granted the request, allowing the prosecution witnesses to testify with their identities protected.

One of the counts in the amended charge alleged that Muhammad and Abbas, while in Abuja sometime between 2025 and 2026, ordered Umar, Musa and Sani, described as their foot soldiers, to kidnap and kill innocent Nigerians in the event of their arrest.

The prosecution alleged that the order resulted in the kidnapping of about 46 pupils and teachers from the three schools in Orire LGA.

Another count accused all five defendants of causing the death of Olaleye by decapitating him.

They were also accused of causing the death of Oyedokun.

In another count, the prosecution alleged that the defendants had information about imminent acts of terrorism and the planned kidnapping of about 46 people but failed to disclose the information to law enforcement or security officers, despite allegedly knowing that the information could assist in the apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators.

The three defendants — Umar, Musa and Sani — were separately accused of aiding other alleged members of Ansaru in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire LGA between January and May 2026.

The DSS alleged that their actions constituted offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The case has now proceeded to trial, with the prosecution expected to present its witnesses and evidence before the court.

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