The Federal Government has confirmed the arrest of two top commanders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu revealed during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, August 16, 2025
The arrests were the result of a months-long counter-terrorism operation conducted between May and July 2025.
The suspects include Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar, described as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly called Mallam Mamuda
According to Ribadu, Abu Bara’a coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across the country and orchestrated high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies to fund extremist operations.
Also, his deputy, Mamuda, led the “Mahmudawa” cell around Kainji National Park and had previously undergone military training in Libya between 2013 and 2015.
Both men have long been on Nigeria’s and the international community’s most-wanted lists, were captured through intelligence-led efforts involving multiple security agencies.
