The Federal Government will on Thursday arraign two senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist network at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The court will arraign Mahmud Muhammed Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, a.k.a. Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri. Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri. Both men have been on national and international terror watch lists.
32-Count Terrorism Charge
Abu Bara’a and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda, face a 32-count terrorism charge before Justice Emeka Nwite. The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.
The charges, filed on September 4 by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar, were submitted on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Allegations Against the Defendants
In the first count, prosecutors alleged that between 2013 and 2015, the duo aided and abetted terrorism. Prosecutors also accused them of helping to form and lead Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terror group in Nigeria.
The charge stated: “You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2013.”
Other counts accused the men of:
Receiving training in weapons handling and IED fabrication.
Undergoing combat training from Jama’atu Nusratil Islami Wal Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group in Mali.
Contributing to the 2022 attack on Wawa Cantonment, Kainji, Niger State, which caused mass casualties.
Arrest and Security Operations
Security forces captured the suspects during high-risk, intelligence-led operations between May and July 2025.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu announced their arrest on August 16 in Abuja. He confirmed both men had long been tracked on domestic and global terror watch lists.
Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked group, is notorious for high-profile attacks and kidnappings across Nigeria.
Credit: NAN
