The Department of State Services (DSS) has accused five alleged leaders of the proscribed terrorist group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), of directing the kidnapping and killing of Nigerians as retaliation in the event of their arrest.

The allegations were contained in a seven-count amended terrorism charge filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the five suspects over the May 15, 2026 kidnapping of about 46 pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The suspects—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—were re-arraigned on Thursday.

They all pleaded not guilty after the amended charges were read to them before Justice Salim Ibrahim.

According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly instructed the other three suspects, described as their foot soldiers, to kidnap and kill people in different parts of Nigeria if they were arrested by Nigerian authorities.

The DSS alleged that the directive was intended to pressure the Nigerian government into meeting the group’s demands.

The alleged plan, according to the charge, led to the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Orire LGA.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants were responsible for the death of Deacon John Olaleye, who was allegedly decapitated, as well as the killing of another victim, Michael Oyedokun.

The DSS also accused the suspects of failing to disclose information about imminent acts of terrorism and the planned abduction of the victims to security or law enforcement authorities.

Three of the defendants—Umar, Musa and Sani—were separately accused of aiding other alleged members of Ansaru in the kidnapping of the schoolchildren and teachers between January and May 2026 in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.

The offences were said to contravene various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including Sections 16, 24 and 26.
Following their pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who is leading the DSS legal team, asked the court to commence the trial immediately.

Oyedepo told the court that the prosecution’s witnesses were available and ready to testify.

He, however, asked the court to protect the identities of the witnesses by allowing them to appear in masks while giving evidence.

Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the application.

Justice Ibrahim subsequently granted the request, allowing the witnesses to testify with their identities concealed. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, stems from the May 2026 attack in Orire, Oyo State, which authorities have linked to Ansaru.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has accused five alleged leaders of the proscribed terrorist group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), of directing the kidnapping and killing of Nigerians as retaliation in the event of their arrest.

The allegations were contained in a seven-count amended terrorism charge filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the five suspects over the May 15, 2026 kidnapping of about 46 pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The suspects—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—were re-arraigned on Thursday.

They all pleaded not guilty after the amended charges were read to them before Justice Salim Ibrahim.

According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas allegedly instructed the other three suspects, described as their foot soldiers, to kidnap and kill people in different parts of Nigeria if they were arrested by Nigerian authorities.

The DSS alleged that the directive was intended to pressure the Nigerian government into meeting the group’s demands.

The alleged plan, according to the charge, led to the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Orire LGA.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants were responsible for the death of Deacon John Olaleye, who was allegedly decapitated, as well as the killing of another victim, Michael Oyedokun.

The DSS also accused the suspects of failing to disclose information about imminent acts of terrorism and the planned abduction of the victims to security or law enforcement authorities.

Three of the defendants—Umar, Musa and Sani—were separately accused of aiding other alleged members of Ansaru in the kidnapping of the schoolchildren and teachers between January and May 2026 in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.

The offences were said to contravene various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including Sections 16, 24 and 26.
Following their pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who is leading the DSS legal team, asked the court to commence the trial immediately.

Oyedepo told the court that the prosecution’s witnesses were available and ready to testify.

He, however, asked the court to protect the identities of the witnesses by allowing them to appear in masks while giving evidence.

Defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not oppose the application.

Justice Ibrahim subsequently granted the request, allowing the witnesses to testify with their identities concealed. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, stems from the May 2026 attack in Orire, Oyo State, which authorities have linked to Ansaru.