5 Suspects Charged Over Abduction of 46 Pupils and Teachers

(Federal High Court. Photo by Punch News)

The Department of State Services has brought five suspected members of Ansaru, a t3rrorist group, before a federal court in Abuja on charges linked to the kidn@pping of about 46 pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State.

The defendants include Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani.

They face seven counts of t3rrorism-related offences including conspiracy to kidn@p about 46 people, aiding in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, concealing information about an imminent t3rrorist att@ck and causing the d£aths of two victims identified as Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.

According to the prosecution, Muhammad and Abbas ordered the other three defendants to kidn@p and k!ll innocent Nigerians to force the government to meet their demands if arrested.

This order allegedly led to the abduction of pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.

One count states that the defendants c@used the d£ath of Deacon John Olaleye by dec@pitating him between 2025 and 2026.

The defendants are also accused of failing to report the planned att@ck and kidn@pping to law enforcement agencies.

Three defendants were separately accused of aiding the alleged abduction while Muhammad and Abbas faced charges of knowingly concealing information about the planned t3rrorist att@ck that resulted in the May 15, 2026 abduction and d£aths.

All five pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.

The Director of Public Prosecutions requested immediate commencement of trial and asked that prosecution witnesses be allowed to testify while wearing masks for their protection.

The court granted both requests.

The case was adjourned to Friday, September 18, for trial to continue.