Two Ansaru Commanders To Face Terrorism Charges In Abuja High Court Thursday
The Federal Government will on Thursday arraign two top leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The commanders identified as Mahmud Muhammed Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri, are to face a 32-count terrorism charge before Justice Emeka Nwite.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, Abu Bara’a is listed as the first defendant, while Mahmud Al-Nigeri, popularly called Mallam Mamuda, is the second defendant.
The federal government alleged that the two men conspired to lead the proscribed group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru) between 2013 and 2015.
In the first count, Abu Bara’a, from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, from Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State, were accused of aiding and abetting acts of terrorism.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abu Abu Bara’a and Mahmud Al-Nigeri were recently captured in a high-risk, intelligence-led operation carried out by Nigeria’s security and intelligence services between May and July 2025.
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, announced their arrest on August 16 while briefing journalists in Abuja.
The Ansaru terrorist group has been linked to a series of high-profile attacks and kidnappings across the country.
