DSS brings five suspects to court over Oyo school kidnapping

The Department of State Services on Wednesday brought five suspected members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly called Ansaru, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are facing charges over the May 15 kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the alleged killing of two victims.

The suspects are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas Mukhtar, Abubakar Abbas, who is also called Isah Adam, Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri, Abdulrazak Umar, known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa, who goes by Abu Yunusa Bin Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also called Abu Itisar.

All five pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge that includes terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorism, and hiding information.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, the Federal Government claimed that Muhammad and Abbas ordered members of the Ansaru group to kidnap and kill victims if they were arrested. Their aim was to force the government to meet their demands.

Part of the first count says, “That you… sometime between 2025 and 2026, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did order your foot soldiers of Jama’‘atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU) terrorist group… that in the event of your arrest by the government, to kidnap and kill victims in different parts of the country in order to compel the government to accede to your demands and in obedience to your order… and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the same Act.”

The prosecution also alleged in the second count that the kidnapping led to the deaths of two victims, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.

The charge stated in part, “…after above kidnap on 15th May, 2026 at Orire LGA, Oyo State, did cause the death of two persons, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, by decapitating them.”

The DSS accused the five suspects of hiding information about the planned attack and not telling law enforcement. Umar, Musa, and Sani were also charged separately with conspiracy and aiding the alleged kidnapping and killings.

After their plea, Dr Caliatus Eze, the prosecution counsel, asked the court to keep the suspects in DSS custody until the trial starts.

Justice Salim Ibrahim agreed to this request and ordered that the suspects be held in DSS custody.

The judge also said they should have access to their lawyers and two family members, as well as receive proper medical care.

He then postponed the case until September 25 for the trial to begin.

Recall that the Oriire school attack happened on May 15 when armed men stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oyo State, taking about 46 pupils and teachers.

The victims were held for almost two months before security forces rescued most of them, while two were killed during the incident.

The Federal Government has connected the attack to the Ansaru terrorist group, which is linked to Al-Qaeda.