THE Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against two senior commanders of Ansaru, a militant group with ties to Al-Qaeda, for their alleged involvement in violent attacks across Nigeria.
The suspects, identified as Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-proclaimed Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri (alias Malam Mamuda), were arrested during recent security operations.
According to the DSS, the charges include leading a terrorist organisation, financing operations, recruiting members, and orchestrating nationwide attacks.
Both men are accused of masterminding the July 2022 Kuje prison attack, which led to the escape of more than 600 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects.
Their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected soon, three weeks after National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed their arrest.
Ribadu described Usman as the coordinator of Ansaru’s sleeper cells and the architect of high-profile kidnappings and robberies that funded terrorism.
He also revealed that Al-Nigeri, trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015, heads the “Mahmudawa” terror cell based around Kainji National Park.
The duo, long on Nigeria’s most-wanted list, are accused of spearheading several deadly attacks on civilians, security forces, and national infrastructure.