The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arraigned five men accused of involvement in the May 15, 2026, abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants are also accused of complicity in the deaths of two victims during the incident.
They were brought before the Federal High Court on a seven-count amended charge filed by the DSS on behalf of the Federal Government. All five defendants pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants were members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), a proscribed terrorist organisation.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the DSS legal team, asked the court to commence the trial immediately in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The prosecution also requested measures to protect witnesses expected to testify during the proceedings. It asked the court to shield their identities and allow them to wear masks while giving evidence.
Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the applications.
Justice Salim Ibrahim subsequently granted the requests made by the prosecution.
According to the amended charge, Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas allegedly instructed three other defendants, described by the prosecution as their “foot soldiers”, to kidnap and kill Nigerians if they were arrested.
The prosecution alleged that the instruction resulted in the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The affected institutions were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
The defendants are also accused of involvement in the deaths of two victims identified as Oyedokun and Olaleye. The charge alleges that Olaleye was decapitated.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and all five defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Another count accuses the defendants of failing to disclose information about an imminent terrorist act and a planned kidnapping to law enforcement or security agencies.
The prosecution also alleged that the five defendants conspired with other individuals to abduct the pupils and teachers.
Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani were separately accused of aiding the alleged kidnapping.
Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas were further accused of concealing information about an imminent terrorist act allegedly connected to the May 15 abduction and the deaths of two victims.
The charges were filed under various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The incident occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen reportedly invaded three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The schools identified in the case are Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Community Grammar School in Esiele.
The attackers abducted pupils and teachers during the raid, triggering a major security operation.
The remaining victims were eventually released after 56 days in captivity following a joint security operation.
The Federal Government and the military said no ransom was paid for their release.
The re-arraignment brings the case back before the Federal High Court, where the prosecution will present evidence to support its allegations.
The defendants’ not-guilty pleas mean the prosecution must establish the charges against them in court.
The case also highlights the continuing security and legal challenges surrounding mass abductions in Nigeria, particularly where authorities allege links between kidnapping networks and proscribed terrorist organisations.
The trial is expected to continue on the next adjourned date.
