The Federal Government will today (Thursday) arraign two top leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda-linked network, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Naijaonpoint reports that the defendants are identified as Mahmud Muhammed Usman, popularly known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, also known as Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri.
They will appear before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 32-count terrorism charge filed against them by the federal authorities.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, Abu Bara’a, from Okene LGA, Kogi State, and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, from Daura LGA, Katsina State, are accused of aiding and abetting acts of terrorism between 2013 and 2015.
The Federal Government alleged that the duo conspired to become founding members and senior commanders of the proscribed organisation Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru).
The two men were reportedly captured during a high-risk, intelligence-led operation by Nigerian security and intelligence agencies conducted between May and July 2025.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed their arrest during a press briefing in Abuja on August 16, describing the operation as a breakthrough in the country’s counter-terrorism fight.
The Ansaru sect, a splinter group of Boko Haram, has long been blamed for high-profile kidnappings and attacks across Nigeria.
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