WITNESS IDENTIFIES TWO TEACHERS KILLED DURING ORIIRE SCHOOL ABDUCTION

A witness in the ongoing trial of suspected members of the Ansaru terrorist group has identified two teachers who were killed during the abduction of pupils and staff from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The witness, identified by the court as AAA, gave the testimony while being cross-examined at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The witness identified the deceased teachers as Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, telling the court that Oyedokun was killed at one of the camps where the abducted victims were held, while Olaleye was killed at another camp. She, however, clarified that she was not present when either teacher was killed and therefore could not identify the individuals who carried out the killings.

AAA, who was among those abducted, also told the court about the conditions the victims experienced during their 56 days in captivity. She said the abductors did not provide food regularly, despite children as young as 18 months being among those held. She described the period as a traumatic experience for the victims who were eventually rescued by security operatives.

The witness further disclosed that the abductors used the victims’ mobile phones to communicate with government officials during the period of captivity. However, she told the court that she did not know the telephone numbers of the officials who were contacted. She also said that after the victims were rescued, she was questioned by Department of State Services operatives both at the agency’s office and while receiving medical treatment in hospital.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, AAA confirmed that three of the five defendants currently facing trial were with the victims in the forest during their captivity. She said the victims only became aware of the identities of the other two defendants during interrogation at the DSS office after their rescue. Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the case until October 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of the trial.