Five suspected members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, also known as Ansaru, have pleaded not guilty to amended terrorism charges over the alleged abduction of 46 pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

The defendants, Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, were re-arraigned by the Department of State Services before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They were charged in a seven-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026 over alleged offences connected with the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The Federal Government accused the defendants of terrorism-related offences, including conspiracy to abduct about 46 people, aiding the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, concealing information about an imminent terrorist attack and causing the deaths of two victims, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye.

According to the charge, two of the defendants allegedly ordered the other three to abduct and kill Nigerians in different parts of the country in the event of their arrest, allegedly to pressure the government to meet their demands.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants conspired with three other suspects, Muhammed Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab, who are still at large, to abduct the pupils and teachers.

Three of the defendants were separately accused of aiding the alleged abduction, while Muhammad and Abbas were accused of concealing information about the planned terrorist attack that allegedly resulted in the May 15, 2026 abduction and deaths.

All five defendants denied the seven counts after they were read to them.

The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the DSS legal team, asked the court to commence the trial immediately in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

He also requested protection for prosecution witnesses, including permission for them to testify while wearing masks.

Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the applications, after defence counsel Bala Dakum did not oppose the request.

The court subsequently commenced arrangements for the trial and adjourned the case until September 18 for continuation of hearing.