DSS Arraigns Five Suspected Ansaru Members Over Orire School Abduction.

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the alleged killing of two victims. The defendants — Mahmud Muhammad (also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar), Abubakar Abbas (alias Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri), Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (alias Abu Yunusa Bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar) pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorism, and concealment of information.

Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, the Federal Government alleged that Muhammad and Abbas directed members of the Ansaru terrorist group to kidnap and kill victims across the country if they were arrested, in a bid to pressure the government into meeting their demands. Prosecutors also alleged that the May 15 kidnapping in Oriire LGA resulted in the beheading of two victims, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye. Umar, Musa, and Sani were separately accused of conspiring to aid the kidnapping and killings, while all five defendants were charged with concealing information about the planned terrorist attack and failing to report it to security agencies.

Following their plea, prosecution counsel, Dr. Caliatus Eze, asked the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending trial. Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the request, ordering that they remain in DSS custody while allowing them access to their lawyers, two immediate family members and adequate medical care. The case was adjourned until September 25 for the commencement of trial.

The Oriire attack saw armed men storm Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers. Most of the victims were rescued after nearly two months in captivity, while two were killed. The Federal Government has linked the attack to the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansaru group. Earlier this month, the same court sentenced two senior Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism financing, kidnapping and other terrorism-related offences.

Written by Boom RadioNG