US Hails Nigeria Over Arrest Of Terrorist Leaders

By Bukola Kayode

The United States Government has commended the Nigerian government over the arrest of two terrorist leaders of the Ansaru sect, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, aka Mallam Mamuda.

The United States Mission in Nigeria gave the commendation on its X handle on Monday.

The post read: “We commend the Nigerian Government and security forces on the successful arrest of wanted #Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda).

Recall that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, announced the capture of both men at a press briefing in Abuja, adding that a months-long, intelligence-driven operation led to their arrest.

Related story: https://frontlinenews.com.ng/jribadu-announces-arrest-of-globally-wanted-ansaru-terrorists-behind-major-attacks/

Abu Bara’a, described as the “Emir of Ansaru,” was the overall coordinator of the group’s sleeper cells across Nigeria and mastermind of several kidnappings and terrorist financing operations.

His deputy, Mamuda, headed the notorious “Mahmudawa” faction of Ansaru based in and around Kainji National Park and trained in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors.

“These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and are also internationally sought terrorists,” Mr Ribadu said. “Their capture marks one of the most decisive blows against Ansaru since its emergence in 2012.”

Ansaru, formally known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, broke away from Boko Haram in 2012 and quickly gained notoriety for attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.

The group, which pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), claimed responsibility for high-profile crimes including the 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, the abduction of the Emir of Wawa, the deadly attacks on a Niger uranium facility and other cross-border operations.

Mr Ribadu said the arrest of the two Ansaru leaders, between May and July 2025, has effectively dismantled the terrorist group’s central command.

He added that caches of materials and digital evidence recovered during the operation are undergoing forensic analysis, and are expected to yield further intelligence on the group’s networks in Nigeria and the wider Sahel.

He credited President Bola Tinubu for providing strategic support and praised the armed forces, intelligence services, and other stakeholders for their coordination in pulling off the operation.

“The fall of Ansaru’s leadership signals the beginning of the end of impunity for terrorist leaders in Nigeria,” the NSA declared. “We will continue to pursue extremists with precision, resolve, and unwavering determination.”