A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a top commander of the banned Ansaru terrorist group, to 15 years in prison for illegal mining and funding terrorism.
Usman, also known by several aliases including Abu Bara’a, Abbas, and Mukhtar, pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in illegal mining activities and using the profits to buy weapons for terrorism and kidnapping operations. The court also ordered that he remain in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as he awaits trial on 31 additional terrorism-related charges.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case on Thursday, made the ruling following Usman’s guilty plea. The judge also stressed that the fight against terrorism in Nigeria would continue, as those involved in violent acts must be held accountable.
Usman, who referred to himself as the “Emir of Ansaru,” was tried alongside his deputy and chief of staff, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda. Both men face a total of 32 charges related to leading a terrorist organisation, financing terrorism, recruiting fighters, and planning violent attacks across Nigeria.
Ansaru is an offshoot of the Boko Haram insurgency, known for its brutal attacks in Northern Nigeria. The group gained nationwide attention following the July 2022 attack on Kuje prison in Abuja, where over 600 inmates, including 64 Boko Haram suspects, escaped.
The Kuje prison break was one of the most daring and deadly attacks on a Nigerian correctional facility in recent times. The militants overpowered prison guards and destroyed parts of the facility to free the inmates, many of whom had terror records.
The Nigerian government has since intensified efforts to dismantle terror networks like Ansaru, which have links to international terrorist organisations. Authorities have also been cracking down on illegal mining activities, which are often used to fund armed groups in the country.
The sentencing of Usman marks an important milestone in the government’s fight against terrorism and criminal financing. Security experts say cutting off the financial sources of terror groups is key to ending the violence that has destabilised many parts of Nigeria.
The case continues as Usman and his deputy face trial on multiple charges that could lead to more severe punishments. The Department of State Services remains actively involved in the investigation of the group’s activities.
