The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged two senior Ansaru commanders with terrorism offences over their alleged roles in violent attacks across Nigeria.
The suspects, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas/Mukhtar and described as the Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Malam Mamuda, were recently arrested in security operations.
The DSS said the charges include leading a terrorist organisation, financing its activities, recruiting members, and planning violent operations nationwide. The two men are also accused of masterminding the July 2022 Kuje prison attack, in which more than 600 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects, escaped.
Their arraignment is expected soon at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who confirmed their capture three weeks ago, described Usman as the coordinator of terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to fund terrorism.
He identified Al-Nigeri as Usman’s deputy and the leader of the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park. Ribadu said Al-Nigeri trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadists from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in weapons handling and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Both men had been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and are alleged to have directed multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and key infrastructure.