By: Tunji Okunlola
Five men accused of playing a role in the May 15 mass kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government, Oyo State and the killing of two of those victims were re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, as the Federal Government pressed forward with terrorism-related charges against them.
Prosecutors say all five belong to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), a proscribed terrorist organisation. They were named in court as Mahmud Muhammad (also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar), Abubakar Abbas (alias Isah Adam or Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri), Abdulrazak Umar (alias Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (alias Abu Yunusa Bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (alias Abu Itisar).
Under an amended seven-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026 – the men face allegations that include conspiracy, aiding a terrorist act, withholding information from security agencies, and direct involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent killings.
When the charges were read out in court, all five entered pleas of not guilty.
Following the pleas, lead prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), moved to formally begin trial proceedings under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The case stems from the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, an attack that drew national attention after two of those taken were later killed.
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