A prosecution witness has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that members of the terrorist group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), carried out the May 15, 2026, attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to pressure the Federal Government into releasing their detained leaders.
The witness, identified as ‘BBB’, also alleged that international terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda supported the operation.
Testifying on Monday during the ongoing trial of five men accused of involvement in the attacks, BBB said the terrorists abducted students and teachers and submitted a list of 30 of their leaders and members they wanted the government to release.
According to him, the group threatened to kill the abductees if the government failed to meet its demands.
The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, alias Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa and Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
The prosecution said the defendants hail from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State and Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Oyedepo Rotimi, SAN, the witness said he became familiar with the defendants through his official duties.
The witness further alleged that following Muhammad’s arrest in 2025, Ansaru members began planning high-profile attacks to force the government to release him and other detained leaders.
He told the court that on November 4, 2025, the group attacked the convoy of a member of the House of Representatives, Jafaru Mohammed Ali, who represents Agwara/Borgu Federal Constituency.
According to BBB, the attack left four military personnel dead and four Department of State Services personnel injured.
The witness also said the group planned to attack the Wawa military base in New Bussa, Niger State, believing some of its members were being held there.
After the alleged operation failed, Ansaru members relocated to the South-West, where they believed media coverage could help amplify their demands and pressure the Federal Government into releasing their leaders.
BBB, who said he participated in the investigation into the Oriire attacks, told the court that the abducted students and teachers were taken to a secured location in a forest near the Old Oyo National Park.
The witness said the security agencies decided to proceed with the operation after two abductees had been killed, citing the group’s alleged history of killing innocent people.
BBB added that the rescue operation secured the release of the surviving victims, although security personnel, including a senior police officer and an Army officer, were among those who lost their lives.The trial continues on Tuesday, October 13, before Justice Salim Ibrahim.
