Five men accused of involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have pleaded not guilty to amended charges brought against them before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Tripod Times reports that the defendants were re-arraigned on a seven-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government. The charges relate to allegations of terrorism, conspiracy, kidnapping and the deaths of two victims.
The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani. They are accused of being members of the proscribed Ansaru organisation and of involvement in the May 15, 2026, attack in Oriire, where pupils and teachers were abducted.
The prosecution alleged that about 46 pupils and teachers were taken from three schools during the attack, while two victims were allegedly killed.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution requested that the trial commence immediately and also sought measures to protect witnesses during proceedings.
Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the prosecution’s requests and ordered that the defendants remain in custody. The case is expected to proceed with trial on a later date.
