The Federal Government has arraigned two alleged commanders of the proscribed Ansaru terrorist group and three of its convicted members on fresh charges bordering on terrorism, kidnapping and the murder of two teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The five defendants were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suspects include alleged Ansaru commanders Abubakar Abba Mahmuda, also known as Abu Bara’a, and his deputy, Abubakar Abbas, popularly known as Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri, who were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in August 2025. Also arraigned were Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani.
According to security sources, members of the terrorist group allegedly made unsuccessful attempts in December 2025 and February 2026 to secure the release of the two commanders from DSS custody. The attempts were reportedly thwarted following intelligence gathered by the agency.
On May 15, 2026, armed men believed to be members of the Ansaru group reportedly attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting 46 people, including 39 students and seven teachers.
Security agencies alleged that the abductors killed two of the teachers in an attempt to pressure the government into releasing the detained commanders.
The remaining hostages were rescued on July 10, 2026, during a joint operation involving the DSS, the military, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies. The operation also led to the arrest of Umar, Musa and Sani.
On July 23, the three suspects pleaded guilty to charges relating to concealing information about the school abductions and membership of the proscribed Darul Salam/Ansaru group. They were subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Similarly, a Federal High Court in Abuja last week sentenced Mahmuda (Abu Bara’a) and Al-Nigeri to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to charges, including membership of a terrorist organisation.
Following the judgment, the DSS reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence and indicated its intention to challenge the ruling.
In a fresh development, the agency filed new charges against the five suspects, accusing them of terrorism, kidnapping and the murder of the two teachers in the Oriire school abduction case.
Justice Salim adjourned the matter until September 24 for the commencement of trial and ordered that all five defendants remain in the custody of the DSS pending further proceedings.