OYO SCHOOL ABDUCTION: FIVE SUSPECTS PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO AMENDED CHARGES

The Department of State Services on Thursday re-arraigned five suspected members of Ansaru over the alleged abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani. They were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a seven-count amended charge.

The Federal Government accused the defendants of terrorism-related offences, including conspiracy to kidnap the victims, aiding the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, concealing information about an imminent terrorist attack and causing the deaths of two victims.

The victims identified in the charge were Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye. The prosecution alleged that Olaleye was killed by decapitation.

The government also alleged that the defendants conspired with three other suspects and others still at large to abduct about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Oriire.

Three of the defendants were separately accused of aiding the alleged abduction, while Muhammad and Abbas were accused of concealing information about the planned terrorist attack that allegedly resulted in the May 15, 2026 abduction and deaths.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty after the amended seven-count charge was read to them.

The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the DSS legal team, applied for the immediate commencement of the trial in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Oyedepo also asked the court to protect the identities of prosecution witnesses by allowing them to testify while wearing masks. Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the request.

Justice Salim Ibrahim subsequently granted the prosecution’s application and directed that arrangements be made for the full-scale trial.

The case was adjourned until Friday, September 18, for continuation of hearing.