By Bavoriat Clara
Nigeria has recorded a landmark success in its war against terrorism with the capture of the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group that has operated in Nigeria for more than a decade.
The announcement was made by the National Security Adviser (NSA) during a press briefing at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.
According to him, the intelligence-led operation, conducted between May and July 2025, involved seamless collaboration between the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and other security stakeholders.
NSA ANNOUNCES THE BREAKTHROUGH
The NSA disclosed that the high-risk operation resulted in the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas or Mukhtar, the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda.
“These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years,” the NSA said. “Their capture is the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its emergence in 2012. It has effectively dismantled the group’s central command and paved the way for its complete annihilation.”
He explained that both men were the backbone of ANSARU’s network, spearheading attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure.
THEIR CRIMES AND FOREIGN CONNECTIONS
The captured terrorists were responsible for several high-profile attacks, including the 2022 Kuje Prison break, the attack on Niger’s uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, and the kidnapping of the Emir of Wawa.
Intelligence reports further confirmed that they maintained active links with international terrorist groups across the Maghreb, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.Mallam Mamuda, leader of the dreaded “Mahmudawa” cell, was revealed to have trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, gaining expertise in weapons handling and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
OPERATION YIELDS VALUABLE INTELLIGENCE
The NSA added that the operation did not only result in the arrests but also the seizure of valuable materials and digital evidence. These, he noted, are currently undergoing forensic analysis and are expected to further expose ANSARU’s residual cells and disrupt its foreign collaborators.
“This milestone exemplifies Nigeria’s advancing counter-terrorism capabilities,” the NSA emphasized. “It demonstrates improved surveillance, deep intelligence gathering, and seamless inter-agency synergy. Most importantly, it shows that Nigeria has both the will and capacity to decisively defeat terrorism.”
He commended the Armed Forces and intelligence community for their professionalism and resilience, while expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the strategic guidance and support that enabled the success.
MINISTER OF INFORMATION: “A NEW DAWN FOR NIGERIA”
Adding the government’s voice, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, described the capture of ANSARU’s leaders as “a new dawn for Nigeria”.
“This indeed is big news for our country,” the Minister declared. “What we have witnessed today is proof of President Tinubu’s commitment and the dedication of our security agencies to protect lives and property. The days of terrorist leaders operating with impunity are over.”
He cautioned against glorifying or giving publicity to terrorists, stressing that they are not heroes but criminals bent on destroying the nation.
> “Those who glorify terrorists must know they are enemies of the state. These criminals are not heroes they are killers of our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Instead, we must celebrate our Armed Forces and intelligence agencies who are working day and night to keep Nigeria safe,” Idris said.
The Minister further praised the unity of Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that the operation demonstrated unprecedented collaboration between the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement services.
“Today we have seen how all security agencies worked together seamlessly. This unity is unique, and it reassures Nigerians that our country is firmly on the path to peace and stability,” he added.
CALL FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT
Both the NSA and the Minister ended with a strong appeal to Nigerians to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and providing timely information that could prevent attacks.
“The fight is far from over,” the NSA concluded. “But the fall of ANSARU’s leadership represents a turning point. With unity, vigilance, and resolve, Nigeria will triumph over terrorism.”
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