Nigeria has begun the trial of five men accused of belonging to the Islamist militant group Ansaru and taking part in the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in southwestern Oyo state.
The defendants — Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Sani — pleaded not guilty on Thursday to seven terrorism-related charges before Federal High Court Judge Salim Ibrahim in Abuja.
If convicted, they could face prison terms ranging from 20 years to life. Prosecutors say Nigeria’s 2022 anti-terrorism law also allows for the death penalty if the court finds that deaths resulted from the kidnapping.
The prosecution’s first witness, identified in court only as “AAA”, said gunmen stormed the schools on May 15, firing shots before abducting seven teachers and 39 pupils.
The hostages were taken into a forest and held for 56 days, the witness said.
Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court to protect the identities of witnesses because of the sensitivity of the case. Defence lawyer Bala Dakum did not oppose the request but asked that the defence be allowed to see witnesses during cross-examination.
The judge granted both requests.
Mass kidnappings for ransom have become widespread in several parts of Nigeria, although large-scale attacks on schools have been less common in the southwest.
In July, the Nigerian presidency said security forces had rescued 39 pupils and six teachers and arrested eight suspected kidnappers in connection with the case.
One teacher was killed while in captivity in May, while security personnel were wounded by explosives during an attempted rescue operation.
