Fresh revelations have emerged from the trial of five suspected members of the proscribed Ansaru terrorist group, with the Federal Government telling the Federal High Court in Abuja that two alleged commanders are wanted by the United States and the United Kingdom over alleged terrorist activities.
In a pulsating development on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the court admitted video evidence showing the alleged beheading of abducted schoolteacher and church deacon John Olaleye, alongside another victim, in the aftermath of the May 15 school abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Presided over by Justice Ibrahim Salim, the court admitted the footage as Exhibit Oyo 1, while a list of demands allegedly submitted by the terrorists to the Federal Government through the Oyo State Government was admitted as Exhibit Oyo 2.
The proceedings brought the horrifying ordeal of the abducted pupils, teachers and other captives back into sharp focus.
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON ALLEGED ANSARU LEADERS
The prosecution identified two of the defendants as Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar, and Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri.
According to evidence presented by the Department of State Services (DSS), both men are wanted by the US and UK governments over alleged acts of terrorism.
The prosecution further alleged that Abbas held a command position within Ansaru and that the group sought his release because of his alleged involvement in operations linked to the killing of military officers in Nigeria.
30 NAMES, ONE DEMAND — AND HOSTAGES CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE
The second exhibit contained the names of 30 alleged Ansaru members said to be held in different detention facilities across Nigeria.
According to the prosecution witness, the group demanded their release as part of efforts to secure a prisoner exchange.
Abubakar Abbas’s name reportedly appeared on the list.
The DSS operative, testifying under the codename “BBB”, said the abductors used the captives’ mobile phones to communicate with government officials during negotiations.
The witness also told the court that Abbas was used as a bargaining chip in negotiations concerning the release of a woman and her infant held by the group.
According to the testimony, the terrorists threatened to kill their remaining captives – including women, infants and schoolchildren – if their demands were not met.
The witness alleged that Olaleye was killed and decapitated after the abductors accused government negotiators of failing to secure Abbas’s release.
The court also heard that the attackers allegedly mutilated a victim’s body to hinder security operatives pursuing them towards their forest hideout.
ORIIRE ABDUCTION: 56 DAYS OF FEAR
The latest revelations form part of a case arising from the May 15, 2026, abduction of pupils and school staff in Oriire, Oyo State.
According to earlier testimony, 49 pupils and teachers endured approximately 56 days in captivity. The gunmen arrived at schools in the area and took children and staff into the bush.
A witness who survived the ordeal told the court that the captives were moved between six locations, forced to sleep on grass and exposed to rain and sunshine. She also described harsh conditions and irregular feeding.
Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, were reported killed during the ordeal.
The abduction has since become the subject of a major terrorism prosecution, with the Federal Government seeking to establish the defendants’ alleged roles in the attack and the deaths.
FIVE DEFENDANTS, SEVEN COUNTS
The five defendants standing trial are:
Mahmud Muhammad, aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar.
Abubakar Abbas, aka Isah Adam/Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri.
Abdulrazak Umar, aka Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid.
Yunusa Musa, aka Abu Yunusa Bin Musa.
Shamsu Adamu Sani, aka Abu Itisar.
The defendants were re-arraigned in September on an amended seven-count charge relating to alleged terrorism offences, kidnapping and the killing of two victims. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In earlier proceedings, a prosecution witness also alleged that Al-Qaeda supported the May 15 attack and that the abduction was intended to pressure the Federal Government into releasing detained members of the group.
The latest hearing saw the prosecution tender the video and alleged list of demands as evidence, while defence counsel Bala Dakum cross-examined the DSS operative on the negotiations and the alleged use of Abbas as leverage.
Justice Salim has adjourned the case until November 19 and 20, 2026, for continuation of the trial.