Five men accused of involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State have been re-arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja and pleaded not guilty to terrorism-related charges.
The defendants were brought before Justice Salim Ibrahim on Thursday by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the 15 May 2026 abduction in Oriire Local Government Area.
They face a seven-count amended charge filed by the Federal Government, which alleges that they are members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation.
The five defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani.
According to the prosecution, the men were involved in the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from three schools in the area.
The affected schools were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
The prosecution also alleges that two victims, identified as Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, were killed during the incident. The charge further alleges that Mr Olaleye was decapitated.
All five defendants denied the allegations when the charges were read to them in court.
Witness protection
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the prosecution team, asked the court to allow the trial to begin immediately under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
He also requested measures to protect prosecution witnesses, including shielding their identities and allowing them to testify while wearing masks.
Defence lawyer Bala Dakum did not object to the applications.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently granted the prosecution’s requests.
The prosecution alleges that two of the defendants, Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas, directed the other three to abduct and kill Nigerians if they were arrested.
Three of the defendants are separately accused of aiding the alleged abduction, while two face additional allegations of concealing information about an imminent terrorist act.
The charges were brought under provisions of Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
56 days in captivity
The abduction took place on 15 May when gunmen attacked schools in communities within Oriire Local Government Area.
The pupils and teachers who survived the ordeal were held for 56 days before being released following a joint security operation.
The government and military authorities 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 its allegations.
The defendants remain presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty by the court. (channelstv.com)
