The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned two alleged commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group and three other suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the Oriire attack in Oyo State, which resulted in the abduction of residents and the killing of two teachers.
The five defendants appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim on charges bordering on terrorism, kidnapping and murder. The court adjourned the matter until September 24 for the commencement of trial and ordered that they remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The two alleged Ansaru commanders, Abubakar Abba Mahmuda, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Abubakar Abbas, alias Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri, were arrested by DSS operatives in August 2025 during operations targeting the Mahmuda terrorist network.
Three additional suspects were later apprehended during the rescue operation that secured the release of victims abducted during the Oriire attack. Investigators alleged that the suspects were linked to both the attack and the Ansaru terrorist organisation.
The fresh prosecution comes days after a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Abu Bara’a and Al-Nigeri to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to some of the charges in a 32-count terrorism case, including membership of a terrorist organisation.
Despite the earlier conviction, the DSS filed fresh charges against the two commanders alongside the three newly arrested suspects, accusing them of terrorism-related offences, kidnapping and the murder of the two teachers killed during the Oriire attack.
The case has been adjourned until September 24 for the commencement of trial.
