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BREAKING: Nigeria Captures Top Wanted Ansaru Terrorist leaders Behind Several Abductions, Killings
The two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and are also internationally sought terrorists.
Abuja, Nigeria– Nigeria has captured two of the most wanted leaders of the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru terrorist group in what authorities describe as one of the country’s biggest counter-terrorism victories in over a decade.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu announced on Saturday in Abuja that a months-long, intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly called Mallam Mamuda.
Abu Bara’a, described as the “Emir of Ansaru,” was the overall coordinator of the group’s sleeper cells across Nigeria and the mastermind of multiple kidnappings and terrorist financing schemes.
His deputy, Mamuda, led the notorious “Mahmudawa” faction operating in and around Kainji National Park and reportedly trained in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors.
Ribadu noted that the two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and are also internationally sought terrorists.
Ansaru, formally known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, broke away from Boko Haram in 2012.
The group, which pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has carried out numerous high-profile attacks, including the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, the abduction of the Emir of Wawa, and the 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja.
According to Ribadu, the arrests—carried out between May and July 2025—have effectively dismantled Ansaru’s central command structure.
He said large caches of materials and digital evidence seized during the operation are undergoing forensic analysis to uncover further intelligence on the group’s networks in Nigeria and the wider Sahel.
The NSA credited President Bola Tinubu for strategic support and praised the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and other stakeholders for their coordination.
The statement read, “Today, I am glad to inform you that we have successfully concluded a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation which led to the capture of the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.
“The group was first formed in January 2012 with a public declaration in Kano. It emerged as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, positioning itself as a “humane alternative.” However, its stated aim quickly turned to attacking Nigerian security operatives, civilian communities and government infrastructure. The group publicly displayed the setting sun logo of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), signaling its ideological and operational alignment with global jihadist movements.
“Over the years, Ansaru entrenched itself in both urban sleeper cells and forest enclaves, across several cities in northern Nigeria and in forest based enclaves particularly around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States as well as Benin Republic.”
According to Ribadu, “The targeted operation, which was conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of 2 top ANSARU leaders who have been responsible for masterminding several terrorist attacks against Nigeria over the past years:
“The first is Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU. He is the coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria. He is also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.
“The second is Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. He is the leader of the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to Benin Republic. Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specializing in weapons handling and IED fabrication.
‘These 2 men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years. They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. Their operations include the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on the Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, and the May 1, 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba (Magajin Garin Daura). They were also behind the abduction of the Emir of Wawa and they maintain active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
“The 2 men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody,” he explained.
Ribadu stated that 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 ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism.
He noted that the successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception.
“This stride has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group.
“This feat undoubtedly exemplifies Nigeria’s advancing counter-terrorism capabilities. The precision operation followed months of deep surveillance, human intelligence, and technical tracking, which demonstrates enhanced sophistication and seamless inter-agency synergy.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform the public that, in the course of the operation, our security forces captured and recovered valuable actionable intelligence. These include a cache of materials and digital evidence which are all now undergoing forensic analysis. The findings from the analysis are expected to support our ongoing efforts to exploit this success, bring them to justice, and completely annihilate the residual of ANSARU networks and disrupt their foreign collaborators.”
The National Security Adviser furthter explained that the capture of Abu Bara and Mahmuda signals the beginning of the end to impunity for terrorist leaders.
He said Nigeria will continue to pursue extremists with precision, resolve, and unwavering determination. The fight is far from over, but the fall of ANSARU leadership represents a decisive step forward.
“At this juncture, let me appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the strategic guidance and support in all ramifications which give us the impetus to continue to record successes. I must also appreciate the doggedness of the Armed Forces and all our intelligence and security agencies who all worked tirelessly and collaboratively to achieve this outcome.
“In conclusion, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the media for your patriotism and relentless support to our drive to stamp out terrorism from our dear Nation. Finally, let me reassure the general public that we will not relent in our drive to make Nigeria safe for all citizens.
“In recognition that national security is a shared responsibility, I urge all law abiding citizens to continue to remain vigilant and volunteer timely information to security agencies for prompt action. Thank you for your patience and rapt attention,” Ribadu added.
