September 11, (THEWILL) — The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned two senior commanders of the proscribed terror group on 32-count terrorism charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Remanded into the custody of the DSS, the defendants, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas or Mukhtar, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda, were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Emeka Nwite.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, while confirming their arrest during coordinated security operations, described Usman as the “self-styled Emir of Ansaru”, who coordinated several sleeper cells across Nigeria. He added that Mamuda acted as his “chief of staff”, heading the so-called Mahmudawa cell around Kainji National Park.
According to the charge sheet, Abu Bara’a, from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, from Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State, were accused of aiding and abetting terrorism between 2013 and 2015. They were alleged to have conspired to form and serve as top commanders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (also known as JAMBS/Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013,” the charge stated.
In counts three and four, the suspects allegedly received training in weapons handling and the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices in various terrorist camps.
Count five accuses them of acts preparatory to terrorism by undergoing training in war tactics with Jama’atu Nusratil Islami Wal Muslimin, a terrorist organisation based in Mali.
In addition, count seven links the defendants to the attack on Wawa Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Kainji, New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State in 2022, which resulted in mass casualties.
They allegedly masterminded the July 2022 Kuje prison attack, which led to the escape of more than 600 inmates.
The charge was also linked to several high-profile kidnappings, including the abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in 2013, and the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura. Other alleged crimes include armed robberies and a foiled plot to attack a Niger uranium facility.
Ansaru has been linked to multiple high-profile attacks and kidnappings across Nigeria, contributing to insecurity in several regions.
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