The Federal Government is set to arraign two senior leaders of the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, Ansaru, today (Thursday) before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants have been identified as Mahmud Muhammed Usman, popularly known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, also called Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri. They will appear before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 32-count terrorism charge filed against them by federal prosecutors.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, Abu Bara’a, from Okene LGA in Kogi State, and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, from Daura LGA in Katsina State, allegedly aided and abetted acts of terrorism between 2013 and 2015. The prosecution further claims they conspired to become founding members and senior commanders of the proscribed group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru).
The suspects were reportedly captured during a high-risk, intelligence-led operation conducted by Nigerian security and intelligence agencies between May and July 2025.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed their arrest during a press briefing on August 16, describing it as a “breakthrough” in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Ansaru, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has been linked to several high-profile kidnappings and violent attacks across Nigeria.
