DSS Files Fresh Terrorism Charges Against Convicted Ansaru Members Over Ogbomoso School Attack

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed fresh terrorism charges against two convicted Ansaru commanders and three other convicted members of the group over the attack on schools 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, where they pleaded not guilty to a six-count terrorism charge.

The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, identified by the DSS as the leader of Ansaru; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud al-Nigeri or Malam Mamuda, described as the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.

The fresh charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, was filed on July 29 by DSS counsel, M.E. Ernest, and contains six terrorism-related counts.

The prosecution amended the charge to include all five defendants before it was read in court. After the charges were read, each defendant entered a plea of not guilty.

Justice Ibrahim granted the prosecution’s request to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending trial, despite objections from the defence. However, he directed that the suspects be granted unrestricted access to their lawyer and two family members.

The case was adjourned until September 25 for the commencement of trial.

The latest charges come days after the defendants were convicted in separate terrorism cases linked to the same incident.

On July 20, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Muhammad and Abbas to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge. Three days later, Umar, Musa and Sani were also sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting their roles in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

According to the DSS, the defendants participated in the May 15 attack on three schools in the area, where seven teachers and 39 pupils were abducted.

During the victims’ captivity, teacher Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by the attackers, who circulated a video of the killing. Another teacher, John Olaleye, also died while in captivity.

The remaining five teachers and the 39 pupils were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.

The DSS further alleged that before the hostages were rescued, the kidnappers demanded the release of Muhammad and Abbas as part of negotiations for the victims’ freedom.

The alleged offences are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.