The Federal Government will, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, arraign two top commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group at the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges.
The suspects, identified as Mahmud Muhammed Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, were recently captured by security forces during a high-risk, intelligence-led operation carried out between May and July 2025.
They will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, training with explosives, and involvement in attacks against military facilities. The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.
The charges were filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M.B. Abubakar, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, on September 4.
Abu Bara’a, who hails from Okene Local Government Area in Kogi State, is listed as the first defendant, while Mahmud Al-Nigeri, from Daura Local Government Area in Katsina State, is the second defendant.
According to the charge sheet, the two suspects were alleged to have aided and abetted acts of terrorism between 2013 and 2015, by forming and leading the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru) — a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria linked to Al-Qaeda.
The duo are also accused of receiving combat training and weapons handling at multiple terrorist camps, including learning how to fabricate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and conducting tactical war training with Jama’atu Nusratil Islami Wal Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group based in Mali.
One of the most serious allegations is found in count seven, which links the suspects to the attack on Wawa Military Cantonment in New-Bussa, Niger State, in 2022. That attack led to mass casualties among Nigerian soldiers, marking one of the deadliest military base assaults in recent years.
In total, the two men are charged with conspiring to commit terrorism, receiving training from foreign terrorist organisations, participating in attacks, and contributing to the activities of a banned group — all offences punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, had on August 16, during a press briefing in Abuja, announced the arrest of the two Ansaru commanders. Ribadu revealed that they had long been on national and international terror watchlists due to their roles in deadly operations and links with foreign jihadist groups.
“Their arrest is a major breakthrough for our security agencies,” Ribadu had stated. “They have been involved in several high-profile attacks and kidnappings. Their capture has significantly disrupted the leadership of Ansaru in Nigeria.”
Ansaru, a splinter group from Boko Haram, is known for carrying out high-level abductions, targeted killings, and attacks on security formations. The group has pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and operates mainly in North-Western and North-Central Nigeria.
Over the years, Ansaru has claimed responsibility for several violent incidents, including the kidnap of foreigners, assassination of security operatives, and attacks on religious and educational institutions.
The arraignment of Abu Bara’a and Mahmud Al-Nigeri marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency. It also signals the government’s renewed commitment to bringing top terror masterminds to justice.
Security will be tight around the Federal High Court in Abuja as the trial opens on Thursday. Legal and human rights observers, both locally and internationally, are expected to follow the proceedings closely.
The government says it will continue its crackdown on terrorist groups and their financiers to ensure peace and safety across the country.
