The Department of State Services, DSS, has re-arraigned five men over the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, who are also accused of involvement in the deaths of two victims, appeared before the Federal High Court on a seven-count amended charge filed by the Federal Government through the DSS.
The accused are Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani. The prosecution alleges that they are members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, ANSARU, a proscribed terrorist organisation.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
Leading the prosecution, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to allow the trial to commence without delay in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The prosecution also sought measures to protect its witnesses, including concealing their identities and allowing them to testify while wearing masks. Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not object, and Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the applications.
According to the amended charge, Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas allegedly directed the other three defendants to carry out kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country.
The prosecution linked the alleged directive to the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire.
The defendants are also accused of involvement in the deaths of two victims, identified as Oyedokun and Olaleye. The prosecution alleges that Olaleye was decapitated.
Another count accuses the defendants of failing to alert security agencies about an alleged impending terrorist act and planned kidnapping.
Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani face additional allegations of aiding the abduction, while Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas are accused of concealing information about the alleged planned attack.
The charges were filed under various provisions of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Oriire School Abduction
The incident occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen reportedly attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The affected institutions included Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Community Grammar School in Esiele.
Pupils and teachers were taken hostage during the attacks, prompting a joint security operation to secure their release.
The remaining victims were freed after 56 days in captivity. The Federal Government and the military said no ransom was paid for their release.
The case will now proceed before the Federal High Court, where the prosecution is expected to present evidence in support of the charges.
