RismadarVoice Reporters
September 17, 2026
Five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, popularly known as Ansaru, have pleaded not guilty to amended terrorism charges over the alleged abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The suspects were re-arraigned on Thursday by the Department of State Services before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, aka Isah Adam/Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, aka Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, aka Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, aka Abu Itisar.
They were brought before Justice Salim Ibrahim on a seven-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026.
The Federal Government, through the DSS, accused the defendants of various terrorism-related offences, including conspiracy to abduct about 46 people, aiding the alleged kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers, withholding information about an impending terrorist attack and causing the deaths of two people.
The victims named in the charge are Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.
According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly directed the other three defendants to carry out kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country in the event of their arrest by Nigerian authorities.
The alleged directive, the prosecution said, was linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers from the Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
One of the counts accused the defendants of causing the death of Olaleye by allegedly decapitating him. The prosecution said the offence contravened provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were also accused of failing to report information concerning an alleged planned terrorist attack and the intended abduction of the victims to law enforcement or security agencies.
Another count alleged that the five defendants conspired with three other suspects, Muhammed Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab, as well as others still at large, to abduct about 46 pupils and teachers in Oriire.
Umar, Musa and Sani were separately accused of aiding the alleged abduction, while Muhammad and Abbas were accused of concealing information about the planned attack that allegedly led to the May 15, 2026 abduction and deaths of Oyedokun and Olaleye.
All five defendants denied the seven charges when they were read to them.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the DSS prosecution team, subsequently asked the court to commence the trial immediately in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Oyedepo also sought an order permitting prosecution witnesses to testify while wearing masks to protect their identities.
Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the application.
Justice Ibrahim granted the prosecution’s request and directed that arrangements be made for the commencement of the full trial.
The court adjourned the matter until Friday, September 18, for continuation of proceedings.