Nigeria has captured two of the most wanted leaders of the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru terrorist group in what authorities describe as one of the country’s biggest counter-terrorism victories in over a decade.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu announced on Saturday in Abuja that a months-long, intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly called Mallam Mamuda.
Abu Bara’a, described as the “Emir of Ansaru,” was the overall coordinator of the group’s sleeper cells across Nigeria and the mastermind of multiple kidnappings and terrorist financing schemes.
His deputy, Mamuda, led the notorious “Mahmudawa” faction operating in and around Kainji National Park and reportedly trained in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors.
Ribadu noted that the two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and are also internationally sought terrorists.
Ansaru, formally known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, broke away from Boko Haram in 2012.
The group, which pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has carried out numerous high-profile attacks, including the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, the abduction of the Emir of Wawa, and the 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja.
According to Ribadu, the arrests—carried out between May and July 2025—have effectively dismantled Ansaru’s central command structure.
The NSA credited President Bola Tinubu for strategic support and praised the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and other stakeholders for their coordination
The statement read, “Today, I am glad to inform you that we have successfully concluded a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation which led to the capture of the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.
“The group was first formed in January 2012 with a public declaration in Kano. It emerged as a splinter faction from Boko Haram.
Over the years, Ansaru entrenched itself in both urban sleeper cells and forest enclaves, across several cities in northern Nigeria and in forest based enclaves particularly around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States as well as Benin Republic.”
According to Ribadu, “The targeted operation, which was conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of 2 top ANSARU leaders who have been responsible for masterminding several terrorist attacks against Nigeria over the past years:
“The first is Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU. He is the coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria. He is also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.
“The second is Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. He is the leader of the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to Benin Republic. Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specializing in weapons handling and IED fabrication
These 2 men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years. They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. Their operations include the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on the Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, and the May 1, 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba (Magajin Garin Daura). They were also behind the abduction of the Emir of Wawa and they maintain active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
“The 2 men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody,” he explained.
Ribadu stated that the capture of Abu Bara and Mallam Mamuda, the group’s leader and deputy commander respectively, marks one of the most significant achievements to date in ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism
He noted that the successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception.
The National Security Adviser furthter explained that the capture of Abu Bara and Mahmuda signals the beginning of the end to impunity for terrorist leaders.
He said Nigeria will continue to pursue extremists with precision, resolve, and unwavering determination. The fight is far from over, but the fall of ANSARU leadership represents a decisive step forward.
Thank you for your patience and rapt attention,” Ribadu added
No comments:
Post a Comment