FG re-arraigns Ansaru commanders, three others over Oyo school abduction

The Federal Government has re-arraigned five men, including two alleged Ansaru commanders, on terrorism charges linked to the Oyo school abduction case.

Premium Times reported that the State Security Service brought the defendants before a vacation judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. Vanguard reported that Justice Salim Ibrahim fixed September 24 for trial and remanded the defendants in DSS custody.

The defendants include Abubakar Abba Mahmuda Abu Bara’a and Abubakar Abbas, also known as Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri. Vanguard described them as alleged Ansaru commanders, while the three other defendants were described as foot soldiers linked to the Oriire school attack.

The case is tied to the abduction of teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the killing of two victims. Premium Times reported that the fresh charges came after the SSS expressed dissatisfaction with an earlier conviction in the case.

Vanguard reported that the two alleged commanders were captured by the DSS in August 2025. The proceedings are the latest court step in a case that has already produced convictions and continuing security-service action.

Sources: Premium Times, Vanguard