Five men accused of belonging to the Islamist group Ansaru have gone on trial over the kidnapping of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Oyo State. The defendants pleaded not guilty when proceedings opened at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, 17 September 2026, and readers should remember that the allegations must still be proved in court.
The case concerns the 15 May attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where armed men allegedly fired shots before taking the pupils and teachers into a forest. The captives were held for 56 days, according to evidence presented by the prosecution.
The defendants were named as Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Sani. They are facing seven terrorism-related charges before Justice Salim Ibrahim.
Each man denied the charges. Their not-guilty pleas mean the prosecution must present evidence establishing the case against them beyond reasonable doubt before any conviction can be secured.
Witness describes Oyo school attack
The first prosecution witness, identified in court only as “AAA”, said gunmen entered the schools on 15 May and fired shots before abducting seven teachers and 39 pupils.
The witness told the court that the victims were taken into a forest and held for nearly eight weeks. Reuters reported that one teacher was killed in captivity, while security personnel were injured by explosives during an attempted rescue operation.
The Presidency announced in July that security forces had rescued 39 pupils and six teachers. It also said eight people suspected of involvement in the kidnapping had been arrested.
New Daily Prime previously reported that the attack affected Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities.
The kidnapping caused fear across Oyo State and increased pressure on the federal and state governments to strengthen security around schools.
Large school kidnappings have occurred more frequently in northern and central Nigeria. The Oriire attack caused particular concern because incidents of this size have been less common in the South-West.
Court grants protection to prosecution witnesses
Federal prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court to protect the identities of witnesses because of the sensitive nature of the case.
Defence lawyer Bala Dakum did not oppose the protection request. However, he asked that the defence team should be permitted to see the witnesses while questioning them in court.
Justice Ibrahim approved both requests. This means the identities of the witnesses may be withheld from the wider public, while the defendants’ lawyers will still be able to see and question them during cross-examination.
Cross-examination allows defence lawyers to challenge a witness’s evidence, test its reliability and raise any inconsistencies. It is a central part of a fair criminal trial.
The five defendants could receive sentences ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment if convicted. Under Nigeria’s Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, they could face the death penalty if prosecutors prove the kidnapping caused a person’s death.
That punishment is not automatic. It would depend on the offences proved, the court’s findings and any further legal proceedings, including possible appeals.
What is Ansaru?
Ansaru is an Islamist militant organisation linked to al-Qaeda. Nigerian authorities have accused the group of carrying out kidnappings and attacks, particularly in northern parts of the country.
The federal government has treated Ansaru as a terrorist organisation. However, describing the defendants as suspected or alleged members remains important because their guilt has not been established.
For Nigerians living abroad, the trial will be closely watched because insecurity and school kidnappings remain major concerns for families with relatives in the country. Diaspora communities often provide financial and emotional support when relatives are displaced or affected by violence.
The proceedings may also provide more information about how the attack was organised, how the victims were held and whether the accused men were directly involved. Those questions must be determined through evidence presented in court.
The case is part of Nigeria’s wider effort to prosecute people accused of terrorism and kidnapping. A successful prosecution requires credible evidence, proper treatment of witnesses and respect for the defendants’ legal rights.
Readers should avoid circulating unconfirmed claims about the accused, the victims or the operation that secured the captives’ release. Court proceedings and official statements from the Department of State Services, the police, the Presidency and the judiciary remain the most reliable sources of updates.
What readers should know: Five men are on trial, but none has been convicted in this case. They have denied all seven terrorism-related charges, and the court must now consider the prosecution’s evidence and the defence response before reaching any decision.
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