NSA confirms arrest of Ansaru terrorists counterterrorism operation
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism with the capture of the leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), an Al-Qaeda affiliate operating in Nigeria.
At a press briefing on Saturday in Abuja, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed that Mahmud Muhammad Usman (alias Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri (alias Mallam Mamuda), were apprehended in a series of coordinated intelligence-led counterterrorism operations conducted between May and July 2025.
The NSA disclosed that the two men had been on the wanted lists of Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations for their roles in orchestrating terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.
Abu Bara’a was identified as the coordinator of multiple terrorist sleeper cells across the country, while Mamuda, described as his Chief of Staff, led the “Mahmudawa” cell around the Kainji National Park corridor spanning Niger, Kwara, and the Benin Republic. Intelligence reports confirmed that Mamuda had received training in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors specialising in weapons handling and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Both individuals are responsible for several high-profile terrorist incidents, including the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on the Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba (Magajin Garin Daura), and the abduction of the Emir of Wawa. They also maintained active operational links with terrorist groups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Malam Ribadu described their arrest as one of the most significant counterterrorism successes in Nigeria’s history. He stated: “The capture of Abu Bara’a and Mallam Mamuda, the group’s leader and deputy commander respectively, marks a decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception. This strike has effectively dismantled its central command and paves the way for the total elimination of the group.”
Formed in 2012 as a splinter group from Boko Haram, Ansaru initially presented itself as a “humane alternative” before turning to violent campaigns against security agencies, civilian communities, and government infrastructure. Over time, it established sleeper cells in northern cities and entrenched forest bases, particularly around the Kainji National Park corridor.
The Federal Government reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians, dismantling terrorist networks, and working with international partners to secure peace and stability across the country.
