DSS Opens Prosecution Of Five Alleged Ansaru Members Linked To Oyo School Kidnap

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the May 15 abduction of p

The defendants, identified as alleged members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam or Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.

They appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, aiding terrorism, and concealing information from security agencies.

According to the DSS, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly instructed members of the Ansaru group, including Umar, Musa, and Sani, to abduct and kill people across the country if they were arrested, with the aim of forcing the Federal Government to meet the group’s demands.

The prosecution further alleged that the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire, along with the killing of two victims, was carried out in execution of that directive.

The agency also accused all five defendants of withholding information that could have helped security agencies prevent the attack or apprehend those responsible.

In addition, Umar, Musa, and Sani were alleged to have conspired with Muhammad, Abbas, and other suspected Ansaru leaders between January and May 2026 to plan and execute the school abduction.

They were also accused of assisting in carrying out the operation and deliberately concealing information about the incident from law enforcement authorities.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty after the charges were read in court.

Following their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Dr. Caliatus Eze, urged the court to remand them in the custody of the DSS pending trial.

Justice Ibrahim granted the application and ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody until the commencement of proceedings.

The judge, however, directed that they be given unrestricted access to their legal representatives and two members of their immediate families, while also ordering that they receive adequate medical attention during their detention.

The matter was adjourned until September 25, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

upils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the alleged killing of two victims.