DSS re-arraigns convicted Ansaru commanders over Oyo teachers’ killings

The Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, re-arraigned two convicted Ansaru commanders and three other convicted members before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the killing of two teachers during the 2026 attack on schools in Oyo State.

The five defendants appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim on fresh terrorism charges despite having recently been sentenced to life imprisonment in separate cases.

They are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, described by the DSS as the leader of Ansaru; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam or Mahmud al-Nigeri, who is said to be the group’s deputy; Abdulrazak Umar; Yunusa Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani.

Muhammad and Abbas were sentenced to life imprisonment on July 20 after pleading guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge. In a separate judgment delivered on July 23, Justice Ibrahim also sentenced Umar, Musa and Sani to life imprisonment after they admitted their involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

However, the DSS has now filed a fresh six-count terrorism charge against all five men, alleging their involvement in the killing of two teachers during the attack.

At Wednesday’s hearing, DSS counsel Calistus Eze informed the court that the prosecution had amended the charge to include all five defendants. The defence did not oppose the amendment.

After the charges were read, all five defendants pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution asked the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendants remain in DSS custody while the case continues.

Although the defence opposed the application, Justice Ibrahim ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody. He also directed that they should be given unrestricted access to their lawyer and two family members.

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

According to the DSS, the charges were brought under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The fresh case is linked to the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men abducted seven teachers and 39 pupils.

During their captivity, one teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the attackers, while another teacher, Deacon John Olaleye, was later confirmed dead. The remaining five teachers and the 39 pupils were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.

Before the rescue operation, the kidnappers had demanded the release of Muhammad and Abbas as a condition for freeing the abducted victims.