Two Ansaru Commanders Plead Guilty to Terrorism, Kidnapping, Financing Charges

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Two senior commanders of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru have pleaded guilty to a 32 count charge bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other related offences before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suspects, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara'a or Abbas Mukhtar, and Abubakar Abba, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud Al Nigeri or Mallam Mamuda, admitted to the charges during proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite.

The duo were initially arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) in September 2025. At the time, Usman pleaded guilty to a single count relating to illegal mining used to finance terrorism and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, while both defendants denied the remaining charges.

However, in the latest proceedings, they changed their pleas and admitted guilt to the broader allegations contained in the 32 count charge.

The charges include terrorism financing through illegal mining, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, coordinating Ansaru operations, providing terrorist training, and involvement in attacks linked to the group between 2013 and 2025.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants played roles in major terrorist operations, including the 2022 Kuje Custodial Centre attack, the Wawa Military Cantonment attack, and several high profile kidnapping incidents.

Ansaru, an Al Qaeda linked splinter group of Boko Haram, has been responsible for a series of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and violent crimes across northern and central Nigeria.

The case is expected to proceed to sentencing following the guilty pleas.

Credit: TVC News.

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