The Federal Government has arraigned five suspected terrorists, including two alleged commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of two teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects were brought before a vacation judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja on fresh terrorism-related charges.
The two alleged Ansaru commanders are Abubakar Abba Mahmuda, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Abubakar Abbas, alias Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri. They were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in August 2025.
According to the DSS, the remaining three defendants served as foot soldiers who participated in the attack on the schools in Oriire.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody and adjourned the case until September 24 for the commencement of trial.
The fresh arraignment follows the court’s July 23 judgment, which sentenced three other defendants to life imprisonment for their roles in the Oriire school kidnapping.
Those convicted were Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (alias Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (alias Abu Itisar).
They were prosecuted on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining.
The convicts admitted concealing information about those responsible for the attack and acknowledged belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the banned Ansaru terrorist organisation.
While all three pleaded guilty to charges relating to concealing information and membership of the terrorist group, Umar also admitted to additional offences involving the training and indoctrination of terrorists through a WhatsApp group known as “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.”
He was further accused of engaging in illegal gold mining in the Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026, in violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Despite their guilty pleas on some counts, the three convicts denied taking part in the actual attack on the Oriire schools and maintained their innocence on the remaining charges.
Justice Ibrahim has fixed September 16 and 17 for the continuation of proceedings on the outstanding counts.
Meanwhile, the DSS has indicated its intention to appeal the life sentences, arguing that the offences warranted the death penalty.
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