{
  "id": 14012078,
  "title": "Ansaru terror group kidnapped Oyo pupils to free leaders — Witness",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/ansaru-terror-group-kidnapped-oyo-pupils-to-free-leaders-witness",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T17:52:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ansaru-terror-group-kidnapped-oyo-pupils-to-free-leaders-witness/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Federal High Court in Abuja heard testimony on Monday that the terrorist group Ansaru planned the kidnapping of pupils, students, and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, in an attempt to pressure the Federal Government into releasing their detained leaders. A Department of State Services operative testified that Ansaru received support from Al-Qaeda for the operation and submitted a list of 30 leaders and members they demanded to be released, threatening to kill their captives if their demands were not met. The defendants, including Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas, are facing trial over their alleged involvement in the attacks and kidnappings.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Oriire abduction planned by Ansaru terrorists with Al-Qaeda support – Witness tells court",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/oriire-abduction-planned-by-ansaru-terrorists-with-al-qaeda-support",
        "published": "2026-10-12T14:31:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Why Ansaru terrorists carried out Oriire abduction – Prosecution witness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/why-ansaru-terrorists-carried-out-oriire-abduction-prosecution-witness",
        "published": "2026-10-12T17:27:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Ansaru terror group kidnapped Oyo pupils to free leaders — Witness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/ansaru-terror-group-kidnapped-oyo-pupils-to-free-leaders-witness-14014427",
        "published": "2026-10-12T18:06:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}