Five Suspects Plead Not Guilty in Oyo State Kidnapping Case

Five men have pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges related to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. The defendants were re-arraigned on September 16, 2026, before the Federal High Court in Abuja concerning the May 15, 2026, attack on three schools.

The suspects are Mahmud Muhammad (also known as Abu Bara’a), Abbas Mukhtar, Abubakar Abbas (also known as Isah Adam), Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri, Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa), Yunusa Musa (also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar). They are accused of belonging to the proscribed terrorist organization ANSARU and face seven counts including terrorism, kidnapping, and conspiracy.

The prosecution alleges that Muhammad and Abbas led the operation, directing the other defendants to abduct and kill Nigerians. The attack resulted in the abduction of approximately 46 individuals from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A.

Primary School. The court has granted protection measures for prosecution witnesses due to security concerns.