Court sentences captured Ansaru commander to 15 years in jail

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court has sentenced Mahmud Usman, arraigned for terrorism by the Department of State Services (DSS), to 15 years’ imprisonment.

According to the DSS, Usman is the commander for the Ansaru terrorist organisation, which engages in illegal mining to purchase weapons.

The DSS arraigned Usman, also known as Abu Bara, on Thursday, alongside his second in command, Abubakar Abba, a.k.a. Isah Adam, on 32-count charges.

Usman pleaded guilty to count 10 of the charges against him, bordering on illegal mining for the purpose of funding terrorism activities. He pleaded not guilty to the other 31 counts.

Abba, however, pleaded not guilty to all the 32-count charges brought against him, including kidnapping for ransom, committing acts of terrorism, illegal mining, fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IED) and terrorism financing.

Counsel to Usman, Echeruo Leonard, pleaded the court to temper justice with mercy, as the accused is a first-time offender.

Justice Nwite, however, sentenced Usman to 15 years in prison for the illegal mining charge to which he pleaded guilty but ordered that the two suspects will still remain in DSS custody, pending the hearing of their bail application.

The matter was adjourned to 21 October 2025 for the continuation of the trial.