The Federal Government will on Thursday arraign two top commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda-linked network, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The suspects are Mahmud Muhammed Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar) and his deputy Abubakar Abba (aka Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri), popularly known as Mallam Mamuda.
They will face 32 counts of terrorism before Justice Emeka Nwite in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025. The charge sheet, dated September 4, was filed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Allegations in the charges
- Between 2013 and 2015, the defendants allegedly aided, abetted, and conspired to form and lead Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation.
- They reportedly received training in weapons handling and in the fabrication of IEDs at terrorist camps.
- They are accused of undergoing training on war tactics with Mali-based terror group JNIM (Jama’atu Nusratil Islami Wal Muslimin).
- Count seven links them to the 2022 attack on Wawa Army Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, which left multiple casualties.
If found guilty, they face penalties under the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2013.
Arrest and background
The defendants were captured between May and July 2025 in a high-risk, intelligence-led operation by Nigerian security services. Their arrest was announced on August 16 by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who confirmed both men had been on national and international terror watch lists.
Ansaru, an offshoot of Boko Haram with Al-Qaeda ties, has been blamed for high-profile kidnappings and deadly attacks across Nigeria.
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