UPDATE: DSS TO APPEAL LIFE SENTENCE FOR ANSARU COMMANDERS, SEEKS DEATH PENALTY

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it will challenge the life sentences imposed on two senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group by a federal high court in Abuja.

A senior DSS official, speaking after the judgement, said the agency considers the punishment inadequate given the gravity of the offences.

According to the official, the two men had initially indicated they would plead guilty but later changed their position around the period pupils and teachers were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo state by suspected members of the same group.

The DSS official said the defendants, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, later told the court they were undecided on the plea they intended to enter.

He said that Justice Nwite even had to hand them an ultimatum to make up their minds on or before Monday’s sitting.