THE Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arraigned five men accused of involvement in the May 15, 2026, abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the defendants are also accused of complicity in the killing of two of the victims and were re-arraigned on a seven-count amended charge filed by the DSS on behalf of the Federal Government.
The defendants are accused of being members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), a proscribed terrorist organisation.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the DSS legal team, applied for the immediate trial of the defendants in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
He also asked the court to shield the identities of witnesses scheduled to testify and allow them to wear masks during proceedings to protect them.
The defence counsel, Bala Dakum, did not object to the applications.
Justice Salim Ibrahim subsequently granted the requests of the DSS counsel.
According to the amended charge, Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas allegedly ordered the other three defendants, described as their “foot soldiers”, to kidnap and kill Nigerians in different parts of the country in the event of their arrest.
The prosecution alleged that the order led to the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.
The defendants are also accused of causing the deaths of Oyedokun and Olaleye, with the charge alleging that Olaleye was decapitated.
In another count, the prosecution accused the defendants of failing to disclose information about an imminent act of terrorism and the planned kidnapping to law enforcement or security agencies.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants conspired with other persons to abduct about 46 schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA.
Three of the defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, were separately accused of aiding the alleged kidnapping.
Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas were also accused of concealing information about an imminent terrorist act that allegedly led to the May 15, 2026, abduction and the killing of two victims.
The charges were brought under various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The attack occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen invaded three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The targeted schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Community Grammar School in Esiele.
The attackers abducted pupils and teachers during the raid.
The remaining victims were later released after spending 56 days in captivity following a joint security operation.
The Federal Government and the military said no ransom was paid for their release.
The trial is expected to continue before the Federal High Court.