Nigeria’s Department of State Services has arraigned five suspected members of the Ansaru terrorist group over the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oyo State and the alleged killing of two captives. The defendants appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, where they denied terrorism-related charges and were ordered to remain in DSS custody until their trial begins on 25 September.
The case concerns the Oyo school abduction of 15 May, when armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area and took about 46 pupils and teachers captive.
Most of the victims were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. The survivors received medical attention before arrangements were made to reunite them with their families.
The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also called Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also called Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
All five pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge brought against them by the Federal Government.
Suspects face terrorism and conspiracy charges
The charge, filed under reference FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, includes allegations of terrorism, conspiracy, assistance to a terrorist organisation and failure to disclose information about a planned attack.
Prosecutors alleged that Muhammad and Abbas instructed members of Ansaru to kidnap and kill people across Nigeria if the two men were arrested. The alleged purpose was to pressure the Federal Government into accepting the group’s demands.
The prosecution further alleged that the instructions led to the Oyo school attack and the deaths of two captives, named in the charge as Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.
These claims remain allegations and have not been proved in court. The defendants are legally presumed innocent unless the prosecution establishes their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The DSS also accused the five men of knowing about the planned attack but failing to provide the information to law enforcement agencies.
Umar, Musa and Sani face additional allegations that they conspired with others and assisted in carrying out the kidnapping and killings.
A terrorism charge is different from an ordinary criminal allegation because prosecutors must usually prove that an act was intended to intimidate the public, threaten national security or force a government to take a particular action.
Court orders defendants held by DSS
After the defendants entered their pleas, prosecution counsel Dr Caliatus Eze asked the court to keep them in the protective custody of the Department of State Services while the case was pending.
Justice Salim Ibrahim approved the application and ordered that the five men be remanded in DSS custody.
The judge also directed the security agency to give the defendants unrestricted access to their lawyers and allow visits from two members of each defendant’s immediate family.
They must also be provided with adequate medical treatment while in custody.
The remand order is not a finding of guilt. It means the defendants will remain detained while the court prepares to hear the evidence against them.
Justice Ibrahim adjourned proceedings until 25 September, when the trial is expected to begin.
What happened during the Oyo school attack?
The attack took place on 15 May at Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.
Armed men entered the schools and abducted dozens of children and members of staff, causing fear across Oyo State and renewed concern about the safety of Nigerian schools.
The incident prompted calls from parents, campaigners and public figures for urgent government action. Several Nigerian entertainers criticised the authorities during the victims’ captivity and demanded their release.
Security agencies later launched an intelligence-led operation involving personnel from the Nigerian Army, police and other services.
The Army said 44 pupils and teachers were freed on 10 July after nearly eight weeks in captivity. Two victims were reported to have died in connection with the attack and its aftermath.
The Federal Government has linked the assault to Ansaru, formally known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan.
Ansaru is an armed organisation associated with al-Qaeda and has been blamed for kidnappings and attacks in parts of Nigeria. The authorities have pursued several people suspected of holding leadership positions in the group.
The arrest and prosecution of suspects will not by itself resolve concerns about school security. Families and community leaders have continued to press for better intelligence gathering, stronger protection around vulnerable schools and quicker responses when attacks occur.
The Oyo case has also renewed debate about the powers available to state governors. Although governors are often described as the chief security officers of their states, the police, military and major intelligence agencies are controlled by the Federal Government. New Daily Prime previously examined whether Nigeria’s governors have enough authority to tackle insecurity.
