The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed fresh terrorism charges against five convicted members of the Ansaruterrorist group over their alleged involvement in the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a six-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026. The amended charge was filed on July 29 by DSS counsel, M.E. Ernest.
The defendants listed in the charge are:
- Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, whom the DSS identified as the leader of Ansaru.
- Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud al-Nigeri or Malam Mamuda, described as the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff.
- Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid.
- Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa.
- Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
The latest charges come just days after the same defendants were convicted in separate cases arising from the same incident. On July 20, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Muhammad and Abbas to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count charge. Three days later, Umar, Musa and Sani also received life sentences after admitting their roles in the school abductions.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, DSS counsel Calistus Eze informed Justice Salim Ibrahim that the charge had been amended to include all five defendants. The defence did not oppose the amendment, and the court proceeded with the arraignment. Each of the accused pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
The prosecution requested that the defendants remain in DSS custody pending trial. Although the defence opposed the application, the court ruled in favour of the prosecution.
Justice Ibrahim ordered that the suspects remain in DSS custody but directed that they be granted unrestricted access to their legal counsel and two family members. He subsequently adjourned the matter until September 25, when the trial is expected to commence.
According to the amended charge filed under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the defendants allegedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, abducting seven teachers and 39 pupils.
The DSS further alleged that while the victims were in captivity, the attackers killed teacher Michael Oyedokun and circulated a video showing his beheading. Another teacher, John Olaleye, also reportedly died while being held hostage.
The remaining five teachers and all 39 pupils were eventually rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.
Prosecutors also alleged that during negotiations, the abductors demanded the release of Muhammad and Abbas as a condition for the release of the kidnapped victims.
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