FG Arraigns Two Ansaru Commanders, 3 Foot Soldiers Over Killing of Teachers in Oyo
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, arraigned two commanders of the Ansaru terrorist organization and three foot soldiers before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over terrorism, kidnapping and the murder of two teachers in Oriire LGA of Oyo State.
The suspects were arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS.
In August 2025, DSS operatives captured the top commander, Mahmuda Abubakar Abu Bara’a, and his deputy, Abubakar Abbas, aka Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri.
According to security sources, after the capture, Ansaru made two attempts to free their commanders — one in December 2025 and another in February 2026. Both attempts were reportedly foiled following DSS intelligence to the State Security Council. The secret police thereafter continued to monitor the group’s activities.
On May 15, 2026, armed members of Ansaru stormed schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo State and kidnapped 46 people — 39 students and seven teachers. In an apparent bid to pressure government to release their two captured commanders, the terrorists killed two of the teachers.
On July 10, 2026, a joint operation by the DSS, military, police and other security agencies stormed the forest where the abductees were held and rescued them.
During the rescue operation, DSS operatives also arrested three more Ansaru members: Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani.
On July 23, the three men pleaded guilty to concealing information regarding the Oriire school abduction and to membership of the proscribed Ansaru/Darul Salam group. They were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Relatedly, a Federal High Court in Abuja last week sentenced Mahmud Usman, aka Abu Bara’a, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to some counts in a 32-count charge bordering on membership of a terrorist organization, among others.
After the sentencing, sources said the DSS was dissatisfied with the judgment and planned to appeal.
In a fresh twist, the DSS, on Wednesday, changed strategy and arraigned the two commanders and three foot soldiers on fresh charges of terrorism, kidnapping and murder of persons in Oriire LGA.
Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter to September 24 for commencement of trial and ordered that the five suspects remain in DSS custody.