The Oyo school abduction case has taken a new turn after five suspected members of Ansaru pleaded not guilty to amended terrorism charges.
The defendants were re-arraigned by the Department of State Services, DSS, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The Federal Government accused the suspects of involvement in the alleged abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The case involves alleged terrorism, kidnapping and the deaths of two victims. The defendants denied all seven counts when the charges were read to them.
Five suspects face seven amended charges
The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar.
Others are Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam and 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 were arraigned on a seven-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026.
The DSS brought the case on behalf of the Federal Government.
The prosecution accused the defendants of several terrorism-related offences. These include conspiracy to abduct people, assisting the alleged abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, and concealing information about an alleged planned terrorist attack.
The prosecution also linked the defendants to the deaths of Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.
The allegations remain before the court. The defendants have pleaded not guilty and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the court.
The case adds to a series of kidnapping and terrorism-related cases involving security agencies across Nigeria. Army Rescues 22 Kidnapped Victims in Niger
Prosecution links suspects to alleged school kidnapping
According to the amended charge, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly issued instructions to the other three defendants.
The prosecution described the three other defendants as their alleged “foot soldiers” within Ansaru.
The charge alleged that the instructions involved kidnapping and killing Nigerians in different parts of the country.
According to the Federal Government, the alleged plan was intended to pressure the government to meet the group’s demands if members were arrested.
The prosecution linked the alleged operation to the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire.
The schools named in the charge are Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School.
About 46 pupils and teachers were allegedly abducted from the schools.
The case has therefore attracted attention because of the alleged involvement of schoolchildren and teachers.
Kidnapping has continued to affect communities across Nigeria, with security agencies frequently reporting rescue operations involving abducted victims. Police Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina, Rescue Four Victims
Suspects accused of terrorism and murder
One of the counts accused Muhammad and Abbas of causing the death of Deacon John Olaleye.
The prosecution alleged that Olaleye was decapitated sometime between 2025 and 2026.
The Federal Government said the alleged act constituted terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution also connected the defendants to the death of Michael Oyedokun.
However, the charges represent allegations that must be established through evidence during trial.
The defendants have not admitted responsibility for the alleged offences.
The prosecution also accused the suspects of failing to provide information about an imminent terrorist act to law enforcement or security agencies.
That allegation forms part of the broader case against the defendants.
DSS alleges conspiracy over 46 victims
Another count accused the defendants of conspiring with three other suspects and people still at large.
The individuals named were Muhammed Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab.
According to the prosecution, the alleged conspiracy involved the planned abduction of about 46 people.
The alleged victims included pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The prosecution said the alleged offences violated different provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charges also accused Umar, Musa and Sani of separately aiding the alleged abduction.
Muhammad and Abbas faced another allegation involving the concealment of information about the alleged terrorist operation.
The prosecution linked that allegation to the May 15, 2026 abduction and deaths of Oyedokun and Olaleye.
The court will determine whether the prosecution can establish these allegations against the defendants.
All five defendants plead not guilty
The seven charges were read to the five defendants individually.
Each defendant pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Their pleas mean the prosecution will now have to present evidence to establish the charges brought against them.
The development marks the beginning of the substantive trial following their re-arraignment.
The DSS legal team was led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Oyedepo asked the court to allow the trial to commence immediately.
He relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, in making the request.
The prosecution also asked the court to protect the identities of its witnesses.
Prosecution seeks protection for witnesses
Oyedepo asked the court to allow prosecution witnesses to testify while wearing masks.
He said the measure was necessary to protect the witnesses.
Counsel to the defendants, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the request.
Justice Salim Ibrahim subsequently granted the prosecution’s application.
The ruling cleared the way for arrangements for the full-scale trial of the five defendants.
Witness protection can become an important consideration in terrorism-related trials. Such cases can involve alleged organised groups and security-sensitive evidence.
The court will now hear evidence as the prosecution attempts to establish its case.
Nigeria’s security agencies have continued to pursue suspects linked to kidnapping and other violent crimes. Oyo State Police Rescue 17 Children, Arrest Seven Over Alleged Child-Stealing Network
Court adjourns case to September 18
After granting the prosecution’s request, the court proceeded with arrangements for the trial.
Justice Ibrahim adjourned the case until Friday, September 18, for continuation of hearing.
The next proceeding is expected to advance the prosecution’s case against the five defendants.
The defendants will continue to have the opportunity to challenge the allegations through their legal representation.
The court’s eventual decision will depend on the evidence presented during the proceedings.
The Oyo school abduction case is among several security cases involving alleged kidnappings of civilians and attacks on communities.
Recent rescue operations elsewhere have also involved children and other vulnerable victims. Army Rescues 22 Kidnapped Victims in Niger
Case places focus on security of schools
The alleged abduction of pupils and teachers has also renewed attention on security around schools in vulnerable communities.
Schools can become particularly exposed when communities face threats from criminal or terrorist groups.
The allegations in the Oyo case involve three schools within Oriire Local Government Area.
The prosecution’s case will seek to establish how the alleged abduction was planned and carried out.
It will also seek to establish the alleged roles of each defendant.
For now, the five suspects have denied the allegations through their not-guilty pleas.
The court will therefore consider the evidence before reaching any decision.
Other security-related developments have also involved efforts by authorities to prevent attacks and rescue victims. Police Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina, Rescue Four Victims
What happens next in the Oyo school abduction case
The prosecution is expected to begin presenting evidence as the trial continues.
The court has already granted the request for protected testimony.
This means prosecution witnesses may testify under measures designed to shield their identities.
The defendants will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence through their lawyers.
The trial will determine whether the allegations against each defendant meet the required legal standard.
Until the court reaches a final decision, the accusations against the five suspects remain allegations.
The September 18 hearing will provide the next major development in the case.
The Oyo school abduction allegations have placed the alleged activities of Ansaru and the safety of pupils and teachers at the centre of the proceedings.
The case also highlights the legal process that follows when security agencies accuse individuals of terrorism-related offences.
As proceedings continue, the court will examine the prosecution’s allegations and the defence response before determining the outcome of the case.
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The case comes amid other reports involving kidnapping, criminal networks and security operations across Nigeria. NNPC Breaks Silence After Oil Tanker Caught With 2,145kg Cannabis
Authorities have also continued investigations into cases involving alleged organised criminal activity. South Africa Extradites Six Nigerians to US Over Romance Scam Allegations
Other incidents have involved families demanding investigations after deaths linked to alleged misconduct. Family Demands IG Investigation Into Death of Anambra Nursing Student
Security concerns have also featured in discussions around safer communities and stronger emergency responses. Enugu Lawmaker Calls for Safer Measures After Coal Camp Drowning
The outcome of the Federal High Court proceedings will determine the next legal steps for the five defendants in the Oyo school abduction case.
