Latest news with #Ansaru
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
U.S. backs Nigeria after arrest of high-profile al-Qaeda-linked terrorists
The United States has commended the Nigerian government and its security forces following the arrest of two high-profile terrorists linked to the al-Qaeda affiliated group, Ansaru. The U.S. commended Nigeria for arresting two Ansaru leaders tied to al-Qaeda. The arrests are considered progress in combating terrorism and contributing to regional stability. U.S.-Nigeria collaboration remains crucial to countering extremist threats effectively. Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara'a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda) were captured in a coordinated security operation, a move Washington described as a significant step forward in Nigeria's fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria emphasized that the arrests reflect the country's growing capacity to counter extremist networks while contributing to broader regional stability. The mission stated, ' We commend the Nigerian Government and security forces on the successful arrest of wanted #Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara'a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda). This is a significant forward in Nigeria's fight against terrorism and extremism.' Washington's praise for Nigeria aligns with its wider counterterrorism strategy across Africa. Since the early 2000s, the United States has prioritized combating al-Qaeda and its affiliates on the continent, providing intelligence support, training, and security cooperation to African nations facing jihadist threats. By neutralizing Ansaru's leadership, Nigeria has struck a meaningful blow against al-Qaeda's influence in West Africa, complementing U.S. efforts to prevent the spread of extremism and protect regional stability. Tracing Ansaru's past threats Ansaru, formally known as Jamaat al-Ansar al-Muslimeen fi Bilad al-Sudan, resurfaced in Nigeria in 2020 after nearly seven years of dormancy. The group, which is aligned with al-Qaeda, re-emerged dramatically on January 15, 2020, when it claimed responsibility for an ambush that killed six Nigerian soldiers escorting the Emir of Potiskum in Kaduna State. This marked Ansaru's first claimed attack in Nigeria since 2013 and signaled its renewed operational presence, particularly in northwestern Nigeria. Following this, Ansaru claimed three additional attacks between February and August 2020, using al-Qaeda-linked propaganda channels such as al-Hijrah to broadcast its activities and signal its return to the global jihadist movement. According to the Nigerian government, these two men have been on the country's most-wanted list for years. They jointly orchestrated multiple attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. Their operations include the 2022 Kuje prison break, the assault on the Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, and the May 1, 2019, kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba (Magajin Garin Daura). Although its resurgence was still tentative, the group sought to exploit Nigeria's deteriorating security landscape, especially the widespread banditry in the northwest, the communal violence between Fulani herders and farmers, and the broader spread of jihadist violence across the Sahel. These conditions provided Ansaru and, by extension, al-Qaeda, new opportunities to reassert influence and expand their networks in Nigeria. However, the recent arrest of Ansaru's top leaders by Nigerian security forces marks a significant blow to the group, demonstrating the government's growing capacity to counter extremism and restore stability in the region.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Who be di most wanted Ansaru terrorist group leaders wey Nigeria security forces gbab
Di National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, don announce say di Nigeria military don gbab two top Ansaru terrorist group leaders wey e identify as identified Abu Baraa, di Amir, and Mahmuda, di deputy Amir. Ribadu yarn dis one for press briefing on security developments for di Office of di National Security Adviser. Di NSA say na dis two men dey responsible for planning several terrorist operations for Nigeria and high-profile kidnappings. According to Ribadu, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara'a/Abbas/Mukhtar), na self-styled Emir of ANSARU. "Na im be di coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria. Na im also be di mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies wey dem dey use to finance terrorism ova di years. Ribadu say Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda) na Abu Bara's proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. Di NSA say Mamuda na di leader of "Mahmudawa" cell wey around di Kainji National Park, between Niger and Kwara States up to di Benin Republic. "Mamuda bin train for Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, and specialise in weapons handling and IED fabrication." According to di NSA said di two men don dey on Nigeria most-wanted list for years, afta dem jointly lead multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. We dey update dis tori
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Nigeria arrests Ansaru terror leaders behind 2022 Abuja jailbreak
LAGOS: Nigerian security forces have arrested two senior leaders of the Ansaru terror group responsible for a 2022 jailbreak near Abuja. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed the capture of Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri during operations between May and July 2025. 'These two men have been on Nigeria's most-wanted list for years,' Ribadu stated during a press briefing in Abuja. The duo allegedly led Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, an Al-Qaeda-linked faction that split from Boko Haram in 2012. Authorities linked the suspects to the July 2022 assault on Kuje prison, where attackers used explosives to free hundreds of inmates near the presidential compound. 'They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure,' Ribadu added about the arrested commanders. The operation marks a major success in Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts amid ongoing violence by jihadist groups and criminal gangs in northern regions. Investigators connected Usman and al-Nigeri to ransom kidnappings that funded Ansaru's operations across central and northwestern Nigeria. The US designated Ansaru as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2013 after the group executed seven foreign construction workers. Ribadu described the arrests as 'one of the most significant achievements' in Nigeria's 15-year fight against extremist networks. Ansaru initially opposed Boko Haram's extreme tactics but later adopted similar violent methods, including prison raids and police station attacks. Security analysts note the group retains operational bases in Kano despite sustained military pressure across Nigeria's conflict zones. - AFP
2 days ago
- Politics
Nigeria says it has arrested 2 militant leaders on its most wanted list
LAGOS, Nigeria -- The leaders of two militant groups on Nigeria 's most wanted list have been arrested in an operation involving multiple agencies, the West African country's national security adviser said Saturday. The two leaders were allegedly the heads of Ansaru, an al-Qaida -linked group, and Mahmuda, a relatively new and lesser-known militant group. Mahmuda gained national prominence after a string of attacks earlier this year in the country's north-central region. Nigeria's northern region is home to numerous armed groups. Officials said the arrests came in an operation conducted between May and July and that they recovered valuable materials including digital evidence that is undergoing forensic analysis and could lead to more arrests. The arrested leaders are Mahmud Muhammad Usman of Ansaru and Mahmud al-Nigeri of the Mahmuda group. Both men are also wanted internationally, according to Nuhu Ribadu, the security adviser. 'These two men have been on Nigeria's most-wanted list for years. They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces and critical infrastructure," Ribadu said at a news conference. He said the arrested leaders are responsible for the Kuje prison attack in 2022 that led to the escape of dozens of jailed Boko Haram members and an attack on the Niger uranium facility in 2013, among others. Ribadu said they maintain 'active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.' Nigeria faces a complex, multidimensional security challenge with various armed groups operating across the country. On one side are religiously motivated groups, including 16-year-old Boko Haram and its splinter factions like Ansaru and the Islamic State West Africa Province. On the other are amorphous groups specializing in kidnapping for ransom and looting and commonly referred to as bandits. Sometimes, their activities overlap. Despite military assaults on the groups, they have continued to expand their operations and carry out routine attacks. This year, Boko Haram has mounted a major resurgence. The U.S. government on Wednesday approved the sale of $346 million in arms to bolster Nigeria's fight against insurgency and criminal groups. "The successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception. This strike has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group,' Ribadu said. Oluwole Ojewale, a Dakar-based security analyst at the Institute of Security Studies, says the significant arrest will test the resilience of Ansaru and its capacity to spring surprises or mount major attacks in the immediate term. 'The impacts of this arrest on the terrorist groups depend on what the Nigerian state security does with the intelligence at their disposal,' he said.
The Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Australian
Nigeria arrests leaders of high-profile terror group
Nigerian officials said Saturday they had arrested the alleged leaders of a jihadist group accused of several high-profile attacks including a 2022 brazen jailbreak in the capital Abuja that temporarily freed hundreds of inmates. Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, told journalists that Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri had been captured during a "targeted operation" between May and July. He said they were the leaders of Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan -- commonly known as Ansaru. President Bola Tinubu's spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the capture in a social media post as a "significant breakthrough in the war against terrorism". The group was also accused of blowing up rail tracks and raiding a train travelling from the capital Abuja to the northwestern city of Kaduna also in 2022. Eight people were killed and dozens more kidnapped and held for months. They "have been on Nigeria's most-wanted list for years" and were also on international wanted lists, said Ribadu. "They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure," he added. In July 2022, jihadists used guns and explosives to blast their way into a prison on the outskirts of Abuja, freeing dozens of inmates. Ansaru subsequently claimed responsibility. The arrests mark a breakthrough in the West African nation's decade-and-half long battle against jihadists in the northeast -- and, more recently, against criminal gangs behind kidnappings for ransom in central and northwestern regions. Ribadu said the two had been involved in several high-profile kidnappings in the regions. - Jailbreaks and kidnappings - The Boko Haram splinter group was formed in 2012, later aligning itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The United States in 2013 designated the group alongside Boko Haram as "Foreign Terrorist Organizations". Ribadu said the capture of the group's leader and deputy commander, "marks one of the most significant achievements to date in our ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism". Ansaru broke away from Boko Haram in 2012, setting up its base in Kano. Its members, many of them Western-educated, rejected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau for being too extreme. But the group has since adopted the same violence it initially denounced in Boko Haram. The United States said the group kidnapped and executed seven international construction workers in 2013. According to Ribadu, Usman and al-Nigeri masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies, using the proceeds to "finance terrorism over the years". Several hundred inmates were freed before being recaptured by security forces in July 2022 when Ansaru attacked the Kuje medium-security prison just 40 kilometres (25 miles) away from the capital and the Aso Rock presidential villa. In 2012, the group raided a police station in the capital city, killed police officers and freed detainees from prison. The group was responsible for the 2013 kidnap of a Briton and an Italian in Kebbi state. The duo were killed in a botched rescue operation by British and Nigerian forces. The group also claimed responsibility for the kidnap of a French engineer in northern Katsina state in 2012. He later escaped. tba-abu/sn/gv
