Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) 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.
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.
They pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorism and concealment of information.
Going by the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, the Nigerian 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.
Sequel to 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.
Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the application, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody.
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.
He subsequently adjourned the case until September 25 for the commencement of trial.
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.
The victims spent nearly two months in captivity before security forces rescued most of them, while two captives were killed during the incident.