In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, Nigerian security operatives have arrested two top leaders of Ansaru, the terrorist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
The joint operation, coordinated by the Nigerian Army, Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other intelligence agencies, led to the capture of Amir Mahmud Mohammed Usman (aka Abu Baraa) and his deputy, Marmuda (Mahmud al-Nigeri).
How They Were Captured
According to National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, the arrests followed months of surveillance beginning in May 2025. Abu Baraa, the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, was captured in July after a high-risk intelligence-led operation.
“This marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. We successfully apprehended the top leadership of Ansaru, a group long linked to Al-Qaeda,” Ribadu stated at a press briefing at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Who Are the Ansaru Leaders?
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Abu Baraa (Mahmud Mohammed Usman): Emir of Ansaru, mastermind of multiple terror attacks, high-profile kidnappings, and robberies used to finance terrorism.
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Mahmud al-Nigeri (Marmuda): Deputy Emir, head of the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger, Kwara, and Benin Republic. Trained in Libya (2013–2015) under foreign jihadist instructors specializing in weapons and IEDs.
Their Terrorist Activities in Nigeria
The two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted terrorist list for years. Ribadu confirmed their involvement in:
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The attack on the Niger uranium facility
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The 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina
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The 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba (Magajin Garin Daura)
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The abduction of the Emir of Wawa
Ansaru has also maintained active links with terrorist groups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, reinforcing its ties to global jihadist movements.
Ansaru’s Origins and Al-Qaeda Links
Formed in 2012 as a Boko Haram splinter group, Ansaru initially positioned itself as a “humane alternative.” However, it quickly shifted to attacks on civilians, security forces, and government infrastructure.
The group openly displayed the setting sun logo of AQIM, confirming its operational and ideological ties with Al-Qaeda. Over the years, Ansaru entrenched itself in urban sleeper cells and forest hideouts, particularly around Kainji National Park.
What’s Next?
The arrested leaders are now in custody and will face prosecution. Security experts believe their capture is a major blow to terrorism in Nigeria, disrupting Ansaru’s networks and weakening Al-Qaeda’s influence across West Africa.
