FG Arrests Two Top Leaders of Al-Qaeda Affiliate Ansaru, Masterminds of Kuje Prison Break

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The Federal Government has confirmed the arrest of two top leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an Al-Qaeda affiliate operating in Nigeria.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, made the announcement at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, August 16, 2025. He said the arrests followed months of intelligence-led counter-terrorism operations conducted between May and July this year, in collaboration with security and intelligence agencies.

Those arrested include Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar, who was identified as the self-styled “Emir” of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda.

Key Roles and Activities

According to Ribadu, Abu Bara coordinated multiple terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and was the mastermind behind several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies that funded the group’s operations.

His deputy, Mamuda, was described as the leader of the “Mahmudawa” cell, operating around Kainji National Park across Niger and Kwara States into the Benin Republic. Ribadu revealed that Mamuda had received advanced training in Libya between 2013 and 2015 from foreign jihadist instructors, specialising in weapons handling and improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication.

Involvement in Major Attacks

The NSA linked the suspects to several major terrorist incidents in Nigeria, including:

• The 2022 Kuje Prison Break in Abuja.

• The 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp.

• The 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura.

• The abduction of the Emir of Wawa in Niger State.

• An attack on Niger Republic’s uranium facility.

“They have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years and were also internationally wanted,” Ribadu said.

Major Security Breakthrough

Ribadu stressed that the arrests represent a significant blow to Ansaru’s operations.

“This strike has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group,” he said.

Security forces also recovered materials and digital evidence during the raids, which are now undergoing forensic analysis. Authorities believe the findings will further help dismantle remaining Ansaru cells and disrupt their foreign networks across Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Call for Vigilance

The NSA urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies.

“The success of this operation is a testament to what can be achieved when intelligence, security collaboration, and public vigilance work hand-in-hand. We encourage citizens to remain alert and report suspicious activities to authorities.”

The capture of Abu Bara and Mamuda is being hailed as one of Nigeria’s most significant counter-terrorism victories in recent years, striking at the heart of an Al-Qaeda-linked group that has terrorised the country for over a decade.