Terrorist Group’s Top Leaders Arrested

The Federal Government has announced the arrest of two high-profile leaders of the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru terrorist group, in what officials described as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed the development at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, stating that the arrests followed a months-long intelligence-led operation.

Those apprehended include Mahmud Muhammad Usman, widely known as Abu Bara’a, who is regarded as the “Emir of Ansaru” and overall coordinator of the group’s sleeper cells across Nigeria.

Security authorities say he masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and was deeply involved in terrorist financing networks.

Also captured was his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda, leader of the feared “Mahmudawa” faction of Ansaru operating around Kainji National Park. Ribadu revealed that Mamuda had undergone military training in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors before establishing his faction in Nigeria.

Officials described the arrests as a significant blow to Ansaru’s operations, expressing optimism that it will further weaken terrorist networks across the country.