Orion Reports

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 ran...

The Federal Government has arraigned three alleged members of the terrorist group Ansaru before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The defendants, Abdulrazak Umar (Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar), are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement, and illegal mining. The prosecution alleged that the trio conspired with three others to execute the abduction, withheld information about the plot, and failed to notify security agencies despite prior knowledge of the attack. The charges arise from the May 2026 school kidnapping in Oriire, during which dozens of pupils and teachers were abducted before they were later rescued in a security operation.

The videos of bandit leader Auta openly displaying weapons and boldly sharing his location have sparked serious questions. How does someone allegedly involved in banditry record and circulate such content without immediate consequences? That’s the angle Sheikh Murtala Bello Asada is leaning on. He argues that the ease with which these videos surface suggests something deeper, alleging that certain politicians may be sponsoring bandits and undermining security efforts.