The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants, identified as Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorism and concealment of information.
According to the Federal Government, two of the suspects allegedly instructed members of the Ansaru group to kidnap and kill victims across the country if they were arrested, with the aim of pressuring the government into meeting their demands.
Prosecutors also alleged that the May 15 attack resulted in the killing of Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, who were reportedly beheaded after the abduction.
The remaining defendants were accused of conspiring to aid the kidnapping operation and withholding information about the planned terrorist attack from security agencies.
Following their arraignment, Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the suspects be remanded in the custody of the DSS pending trial. The court also directed that they be granted access to their lawyers, immediate family members and adequate medical care before adjourning the case until September 25 for the commencement of trial.
The Oriire school attack saw armed men invade three schools in Oyo State, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers. Most of the victims were later rescued after spending nearly two months in captivity, although two captives were killed during the incident.
Meanwhile, retired and serving staff of the University of Ibadan donated about ₦6 million to rescued pupils, teachers and families of victims affected by the attack.
Speaking during the presentation in Ogbomoso, members of the delegation described the donation as a gesture of solidarity and support, noting that many of the survivors would require continued psychological, educational and financial assistance as they recover from the traumatic experience.
