Nigerian security forces have captured two high-ranking leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, marking a significant setback for the Al-Qaeda-linked organization, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu announced Saturday. The suspects, long featured on Nigeria’s most-wanted list and the U.S. terror watch list, were apprehended during a multiagency operation spanning May to July, described by officials as a critical step in dismantling the group’s operations.
The operation targeted Ansaru strongholds in and around Kainji National Park, a region straddling Niger and Kwara states with links to neighboring Benin Republic. Among those captured was Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, who proclaimed himself the “Emir of Ansaru” and allegedly coordinated sleeper cells and financed terrorism through kidnappings and armed robberies. His deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, alias Malam Mamuda, received specialized training in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors and was linked to bomb-making expertise.
Ribadu linked the duo to a series of high-profile attacks, including the 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja, a raid on a uranium facility in Niger, and the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp. Their network reportedly extended to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, underscoring cross-border security challenges. “This capture dismantles Ansaru’s central command and signals the end of impunity for terrorist leaders in Nigeria,” Ribadu stated, calling it a “turning point” in counter-terrorism efforts.
Authorities recovered digital evidence and materials during raids, now undergoing forensic analysis to identify remaining cells and foreign collaborators. Ribadu attributed the success to improved interagency coordination, months of surveillance, and President Bola Tinubu’s strategic oversight. However, he cautioned that the broader fight against extremism remains ongoing, urging citizens to report suspicious activities.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris praised security forces for their collaboration and urged media outlets to avoid amplifying terrorist propaganda. “National security is a shared responsibility,” he said, emphasizing the need for sustained public and institutional cooperation.
The operation highlights Nigeria’s evolving counter-terrorism tactics amid persistent threats from armed groups. Ansaru, a splinter faction of Boko Haram, has been active since 2012, focusing on international targets and religiously motivated violence. Its leaders’ capture comes amid broader regional efforts to curb Sahel-based extremism, though challenges persist due to porous borders and fragmented militant networks.
