A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a top commander of the proscribed Ansaru terrorist group, to 15 years in prison.
Usman pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in illegal mining activities, which prosecutors said funded arms procurement for terrorist operations and kidnappings.
Usman allegedly used proceeds from illegal mining to purchase arms and ammunition for terrorist operations.
He was accused of leading an assault on the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, in 2022, resulting in multiple casualties.
Usman and his associates allegedly underwent training in weapons handling, war tactics, and fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in terrorist camps.
They are accused of masterminding the July 2022 Kuje prison break, which freed over 600 inmates, and planning an attack on Niger’s uranium facility.
The group is also linked to the abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in 2013 and Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, in 2019.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered Usman to remain in DSS custody pending trial on 31 other terrorism-related charges.
The judge adjourned the continuation of the trial to October 21, 2025.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed the arrests, describing Usman as the “self-styled Emir of Ansaru” who directed several sleeper cells nationwide.
Ribadu also mentioned Usman’s associate, Mamuda, who acted as “chief of staff” and oversaw the “Mahmudawa” cell around Kainji National Park.
