The Federal Government is arraigning two senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda-linked network today, Thursday, September 11, 2025 at the Federal High Court.
The commanders have been identified as Mahmud Muhammed Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, also called Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri.
Both men, with Abu Bara’a popularly referred to as Mallam Mamuda, are scheduled to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite to face a 32-count terrorism charge.
While Abu Bara’a is the 1st defendant, Mahmud Al-Nigeri is the 2nd defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.
In count one, Abu Bara’a, who hails from Okene Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi and Mahmud Al-Nigeri from Daura LGA of Katsina State were alleged to have aided and abetted the acts of terrorism, sometimes between 2013 and 2015.
Daily Trust reported that ”the duo were accused of conspiring amongst themselves and agreeing to be part of the formation and top commanders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (a.k.a. JAMBS/Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.”
Reports further revealed that Abu Abu Bara’a and Mahmud Al-Nigeri were recently captured during a high-risk, intelligence-led operation conducted by Nigeria’s security and intelligence services between May and July 2025.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed the development on August 16 during a press briefing in Abuja.
Authorities have linked the Ansaru terrorist group to numerous high-profile attacks and abductions carried out across different parts of the country.
