Ansaru terror group used Al-Qaeda support for Oyo kidnappings, court hears

A Federal High Court in Abuja heard testimony regarding the May 15 attacks in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, where pupils, students, and teachers were kidnapped. A Department of State Services (DSS) operative, identified as ‘BBB’, testified that the proscribed terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) planned the operation with support from Al-Qaeda.

The witness stated the kidnappings were intended to pressure the Nigerian federal government into releasing 30 detained leaders and members of the group. The terrorists reportedly threatened to kill the captives if their demands were not met. Following the government's refusal to negotiate, security agencies conducted a rescue operation.

Five defendants—Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani—are currently on trial for their alleged complicity in the attacks. The prosecution witness noted that the first defendant, Muhammad, was a founding member of Boko Haram and previously served as the group’s head of security and intelligence before establishing Ansaru.