A combined photo of Sanator Shehu Sani and Mr. Nuhu Ribadu
By Abdullahi Abubakar
Senator Shehu Sani has commended National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu and Nigeria’s security operatives over the arrest of suspected terror leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly known as Mallam Mamuda.
Sani described the arrest of two high-profile terrorist leaders in Northern Nigeria as a decisive step in the nation’s fight against terrorism.
Sani, in a post via his X handle on Saturday, said the capture of the men, earlier announced by Ribadu, was a significant breakthrough for Nigeria’s security forces.
He wrote, “The recent arrest of high-profile terrorist leaders in Northern Nigeria, as revealed by the NSA Ribadu, is a significant step in the fight against terrorism.
“They kidnap, they kill, they are deranged, they are delusional in their dreams of a theocracy through bloodshed, and above all, they live by the sword,” Sani said, adding that their arrest sends a strong signal to violent extremist groups.
Recall that Ribadu had earlier disclosed that the suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly called Mallam Mamuda, were captured between May and July 2025 in intelligence-led counter-terrorism operations.
A combined photo of Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri
According to him, Abu Bara’a, the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies to finance extremism.
Ribadu said his deputy, Mamuda, who once trained in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors, led the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park and across Nigeria’s borders.
“These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years. They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure,” Ribadu said.
He linked them to the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on a Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the 2019 kidnapping of Magajin Garin Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, and the abduction of the Emir of Wawa.
Ribadu added that the capture marked one of the most significant blows against Ansaru, Nigeria’s al-Qaeda affiliate.
“The successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive strike against Ansaru since its inception. It has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the group’s annihilation,” he said.
The NSA said both suspects, wanted internationally by Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations, are currently in custody.
Read Nuhu Ribadu’s Statement Below
Nigeria Records Fresh Counter-Terrorism Gains: Internationally Wanted Ansaru Commanders Abu Bara & Mallam Mamuda Captured
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.
SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE APPREHENSION
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:
a. 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.
b. 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.
c.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.
d.The 2 men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OPERATION
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 our ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism. 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.
CLOSING NOTES
The capture of Abu Bara and Mahmuda signals the beginning of the end to impunity for terrorist leaders. 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.
