The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday announced the capture of the leadership of the ANSARU terrorist organisation, also known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, as well as the Mahmudawa terrorist faction.

 

The high-profile terrorists apprehended are the group’s self-styled Emir, Mahmud Mohammed Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda).

 

According to Ribadu, the targeted counter-terrorism operation, conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of the two men who had been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years.

 

Abu Bara’a was the coordinator of multiple terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and the mastermind of high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism.

 

Mallam Mamuda, his deputy and head of the Mahmudawa cell, operated around Kainji National Park spanning Niger and Kwara States into Benin Republic. He reportedly trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in weapons handling and IED fabrication.

 

 

The NSA said the duo were responsible for several deadly operations, including:

 

The 2022 Kuje prison break.

 

The attack on Niger’s uranium facility.

 

The 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina.

 

The 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura.

 

 

They were also linked to cross-border terrorist groups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

 

 

Ribadu described the capture as “the most significant blow against ANSARU since its inception in 2012”, effectively dismantling its central command. He revealed that actionable intelligence, materials, and digital evidence were seized during the operation and are undergoing forensic analysis to aid further investigations.

 

He emphasised that the success reflects Nigeria’s growing counter-terrorism capabilities, made possible by months of deep surveillance, human intelligence, technical tracking, and seamless inter-agency collaboration.

 

“The capture of Abu Bara and Mallam Mamuda signals the beginning of the end to impunity for terrorist leaders. Nigeria will continue to pursue extremists with precision, resolve, and unwavering determination,” Ribadu declared.

 

 

The NSA expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing strategic guidance, and commended the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and the media for their contributions to the success.

 

He assured Nigerians that the government will not relent until terrorism is stamped out, urging citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely information.

 

Present at the briefing were the Minister of Information, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, and the Directors-General of DSS and NIA.