DSS Files Terrorism Charges Against Captured Ansaru Commanders

DSS Files Terrorism Charges Against Captured Ansaru Commanders.
Both suspects linked to Kuje prison break and other major attacks.
NSA hails capture as Nigeria’s biggest counter-terrorism success yet.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple charges against two arrested commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda, following their capture in a high-risk counter-terrorism operation.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that security sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama on Friday that the suspects are facing terrorism-related charges under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws, including leadership of a terrorist organisation, financing of terrorism, recruitment, and coordinating violent attacks across the country.

Investigations have been fast-tracked to ensure speedy prosecution in line with directives from the DSS Director-General, who stressed professionalism, justice, and human rights compliance in handling the case.

Their arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected in the coming days.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, earlier disclosed that the duo were among the most wanted terrorists globally.

Abu Baraa, whose real name is Mahmud Muhammad Usman, is described as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru and the coordinator of terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria.

Mahmuda, formally identified as Mahmud al-Nigeri, served as his deputy and led the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell based around Kainji National Park. Ribadu revealed that Mahmuda trained in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors between 2013 and 2015, specialising in weapons handling and improvised explosive devices.

Both men are linked to several high-profile attacks, including the 2022 Kuje prison break, the abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in 2013, the kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba in 2019, and multiple assaults on civilians and critical infrastructure.

Ribadu described their capture as one of Nigeria’s most significant counter-terrorism breakthroughs, noting that the operation dismantled Ansaru’s central command. He added that valuable intelligence recovered during the mission is undergoing forensic analysis to support further security operations and disrupt the group’s foreign collaborators.

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