Ansaru's Al-Qaeda-Supported Attack on Schools in Oyo

A witness for the federal government, identified as “BBB,” testified in the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the May 15 attacks on schools in Oriire local government, Oyo State. He stated that the attacks were planned by the Ansaru terrorist group with support from Al-Qaeda.

The motive behind the attacks was to compel the federal government to release their leaders who are currently arrested and facing prosecution. The terrorists provided a list of 30 names of their leaders, demanding their release or threatening to kill the kidnapped victims.

BBB, the 2nd prosecution witness in the trial of five suspected Ansaru members, confirmed his knowledge of the defendants, who are from various local government areas in Nigeria. He noted that Mahmud Muhammad, the first defendant, was a founding member of Boko Haram and later established Ansaru.

The witness described Muhammad's leadership role in various kidnapping and killing operations, including an attack on the Emir of Potiskum.