IBADAN, NIGERIA — The Department of State Services will on Thursday re-arraign five suspected members of the Ansaru terrorist group over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects, whose names were not disclosed for security reasons, were initially arraigned before a Federal High Court in Ibadan but the case was adjourned to allow for further investigation. A security source confirmed that the DSS had concluded its investigation and was ready to proceed with the trial.
The abduction, which occurred in September 2025, involved the kidnapping of schoolchildren and their teachers from a school in Oriire. The incident sparked national outrage and led to a massive manhunt by security agencies. The victims were later rescued following a coordinated operation involving the DSS, the military, and the police.
According to the source, the five suspects were arrested in different parts of the country following intelligence reports. They are accused of belonging to the Ansaru terrorist group, which is affiliated with Boko Haram and has been responsible for several attacks and kidnappings in northern Nigeria.
“The suspects have been in custody since their arrest, and the DSS has completed its investigation. They will be re-arraigned on Thursday to face charges related to terrorism, kidnapping, and membership of a proscribed organisation,” the source said.
The trial is expected to draw significant attention, given the gravity of the charges and the profile of the suspects. The Federal Government has vowed to prosecute all those involved in the abduction, describing the incident as a direct assault on the nation’s educational system.
The Oyo State Government has also welcomed the planned re-arraignment, describing it as a step toward justice for the victims and their families. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, said the government had taken steps to improve security in schools across the state, including the installation of surveillance cameras and the deployment of security personnel.
“We commend the DSS and other security agencies for their efforts in apprehending the suspects. We hope that the trial will serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate such heinous acts,” Adelabu said.
Parents of the abducted pupils have also expressed relief at the news of the re-arraignment, urging the court to ensure that justice is served. “We want these criminals to be punished. They put our children through unimaginable trauma. We hope the court will act swiftly,” said one of the parents.
The case has highlighted the growing threat of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. Security experts have called for a more robust approach to intelligence gathering and community policing to prevent future attacks.
As the trial begins, all eyes will be on the court to see whether the suspects will be convicted and sentenced accordingly. For now, the victims and their families await justice, hoping that the trial will bring closure to a painful chapter in their lives.
