DSS arraigns five over Oyo school abduction

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The Department of State Services on Wednesday arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, popularly known as 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.

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The defendants are 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.

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They pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorism and concealment of information.

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According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, the Federal Government alleged that Muhammad and Abbas ordered members of the Ansaru terrorist group to kidnap and kill victims across the country if they were arrested, with the aim of compelling the government to accede to their demands.

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Part of the first count reads, “That you… sometime between 2025 and 2026, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did order your foot soldiers of Jama’‘atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU) terrorist group… that in the event of your arrest by the government, to kidnap and kill victims in different parts of the country in order to compel the government to accede to your demands and in obedience to your order… and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the same Act.”

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The prosecution further alleged in the second count that the kidnapping culminated in the killing of two victims, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.

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The charge stated in part, ”…after above kidnap on 15th May, 2026 at Orire LGA, Oyo State, did cause the death of two persons, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, by decapitating them.”

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The DSS also accused the five defendants of concealing information about the planned terrorist attack and failing to disclose it to law enforcement agencies, while Umar, Musa and Sani were separately charged with conspiracy and aiding the alleged kidnapping and killings.

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Following their plea, counsel for the prosecution, Dr Caliatus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in the protective custody of the DSS pending trial.

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Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the application, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody.

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The judge directed that they should be granted unhindered access to their lawyers and two members of their immediate families, as well as adequate medical care.

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He subsequently adjourned the case until September 25 for the commencement of trial.

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Recall that the Oriire school attack occurred on May 15 when armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Oyo State, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers.

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The victims spent nearly two months in captivity before security forces rescued most of them, while two captives were killed during the incident.

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The Federal Government has linked the attack to the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated organisation.

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PUNCH Online reports that earlier this month, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced two senior Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related offences, including terrorism financing, kidnapping and related crimes.

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