The Federal Government has arrested two top commanders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed the arrest during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, August 16.
Identified as Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), the suspects were captured in a months-long, intelligence-led operation carried out between May and July 2025.
Abu Bara’a, described as the “self-styled Emir” of Ansaru, allegedly coordinated sleeper cells, high-profile kidnappings, and armed robberies to finance extremist activities.
