Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu announced the capture of Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, the alleged leaders of the terrorist group Ansaru.
The arrest, confirmed on Saturday, drew praise from President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who commended the security officials responsible. Ansaru has carried out high-profile attacks, including the 2022 Abuja jailbreak that freed hundreds of inmates, the Kaduna train attack that killed eight passengers and left dozens kidnapped, and several deadly raids across northern Nigeria.
For years, the group has remained on the nation’s most wanted list. Formed in 2012 after breaking away from Boko Haram, Ansaru initially rejected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau for being “too extreme.” Still, the faction later adopted the same violent methods, establishing its own camp in Kano and spreading terror across the country.
The group’s violent record runs deep. In 2012, Ansaru fighters stormed a police station in Abuja, killing officers and freeing detainees. That same year, they kidnapped a French engineer in Katsina before he escaped. In 2013, the group abducted a Briton and an Italian in Kebbi State. Both hostages were killed in a failed rescue attempt by British and Nigerian forces.Ribadu described the arrest as a major step forward in Nigeria’s war on terror.
“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,” Ribadu said.
The fall of Ansaru’s leaders brings relief to Nigerians who have endured years of violence at the group’s hands. However, the fight is far from over, as many of the group’s members remain active. With this breakthrough, authorities now have an opportunity to extract vital intelligence that could help dismantle the network once and for all.
This victory should serve as a rallying point for continued vigilance. Nigeria’s security agencies have shown that persistence works, but citizens must also remain alert and support the fight against extremism. Together, the nation can finally end the cycle of terror and reclaim lasting peace.
