DSS Re-Arraigns Five Ansaru Suspects Over Oyo School Abduction

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday re-arraigned five suspected members of the proscribed Ansaru terrorist group before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The suspects were brought before Justice Salim Ibrahim on a seven-count amended charge filed by the Federal Government.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants are members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a terrorist organisation proscribed under Nigerian law.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecution, the alleged attack resulted in the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, Oriire.

The Federal Government also alleged that two victims, identified as Oyedokun and Olaleye, were killed during the incident.

It further accused Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas of directing three other defendants to carry out kidnappings and reprisal killings should they be arrested.

The suspects were also accused of concealing information about the planned terrorist attack and failing to report it to security agencies.
Three of the defendants face additional counts bordering on aiding and abetting the alleged kidnapping.

At Thursday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to commence the trial immediately in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

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Oyedepo also asked the court to permit prosecution witnesses to testify behind masks and have their identities protected on security grounds.

Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the applications.

Justice Ibrahim subsequently granted both applications and adjourned the case for continuation of trial.

The victims reportedly spent 56 days in captivity before being rescued in a joint security operation.
The Federal Government has maintained that no ransom was paid for their release.