Counter-Terrorism: NSA Confirms Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Behind Kuje Jailbreak and High-Profile Abductions
In a major victory against terrorism, Nigeria’s security forces have captured the top leadership of Ansaru, the country’s most prominent Al-Qaeda affiliate, according to a statement by National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The operation, which took place between May and July 2025, represents a significant blow to the group’s operations and marks a turning point in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Two Most-Wanted Leaders Captured
The two high-profile leaders captured were Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, the self-proclaimed Emir of Ansaru, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, known as Mallam Mamuda, who served as his Chief of Staff. Both men were on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and were also internationally wanted for their involvement in terrorist activities.
“The capture of Abu Bara and Mallam Mamuda, the group’s leader and deputy commander respectively, marks one of the most significant achievements to date in our ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism,” Ribadu said in a press briefing on Saturday. He described the operation as a “decisive blow” that has effectively dismantled the group’s central command.
According to Ribadu, Abu Bara’a coordinated various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism. Mallam Mamuda, who trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015, led a cell operating in and around Kainji National Park.
Ansaru’s Reign of Terror
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Ansaru, which means “Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in the Black Lands,” was formed in 2012 as a splinter faction of Boko Haram. It quickly aligned itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), expanding its influence through sleeper cells and forest enclaves across northern Nigeria.
The captured leaders have been linked to a number of major attacks, including:
* The 2022 Kuje prison break.
* The attack on a uranium facility in Niger.
* The 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina.
* The 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, the Magajin Garin Daura.
* The abduction of the Emir of Wawa.
The two men reportedly maintained active links with terrorist groups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
A Milestone for Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Ribadu emphasized that this precision operation highlights Nigeria’s advanced counter-terrorism capabilities, which involved “months of deep surveillance, human intelligence, and technical tracking.” He noted that valuable intelligence, including a cache of materials and digital evidence, was recovered during the operation. This evidence is currently undergoing forensic analysis to support ongoing efforts to completely neutralize the Ansaru network and disrupt its foreign collaborators.
“The capture of Abu Bara and Mahmuda signals the beginning of the end to impunity for terrorist leaders,” Ribadu stated, adding that Nigeria will continue to pursue extremists with “precision, resolve, and unwavering determination.”
The NSA thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “strategic guidance” and acknowledged the “doggedness” of the armed forces and intelligence agencies that worked collaboratively to achieve this outcome. He also urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies.
By PRNigeria
