DSS Files Fresh Terrorism Charges Against 5 Convicted Ansaru Members Over Oyo School Attack

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed fresh terrorism charges against five convicted members of the Ansaru terrorist group over the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge.

The accused 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; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.

Court documents showed that the new case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, was filed on July 29 by M.E. Ernest, counsel to the DSS. It contains six terrorism-related counts.

The latest prosecution comes only days after the five men were convicted in separate cases linked to the same attack.

On July 20, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Muhammad and Abbas to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge.

Three days later, the same judge sentenced Umar, Musa and Sani to life imprisonment after they admitted their roles in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Calistus Eze, counsel to the DSS, informed the court that the charge had been amended to include all five defendants and requested that it be read to them. The defence did not object, and each of the defendants entered a not guilty plea.

The prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and requested that the defendants remain in DSS custody until the case is concluded.

Although the defence opposed the request, Justice Ibrahim overruled the objection. He ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody. The judge also directed that they should have unrestricted access to their lawyer and two family members.

The case was adjourned until September 25 for the commencement of trial.

According to the charge, the alleged offences are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The DSS alleged that the defendants participated in the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA, where seven teachers and 39 pupils were abducted.

One of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded while in captivity. His attackers circulated a video of the killing.

Authorities also confirmed that another teacher, John Olaleye, died in captivity. The remaining five teachers and the 39 pupils were eventually rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.

The DSS further alleged that before the hostages were rescued, the kidnappers demanded the release of Muhammad and Abbas as part of negotiations for the victims’ freedom.