A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the proscribed Ansaru terrorist group, to 15 years imprisonment.
Usman pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in illegal mining activities, which he used to acquire arms for terrorism and kidnapping purposes.
The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned Usman before the court, where he faced a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism and other offenses.
According to the prosecution, Usman and his co-defendant, Abubakar Abba, participated in several terrorist operations, including the 2022 attack on the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, which resulted in mass casualties.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who delivered the judgment, ordered Usman to remain in the custody of the DSS pending his trial for the remaining 31 counts.
The judge fixed October 21 for the continuation of the trial.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed Usman’s arrest, describing him as the “self-styled Emir of Ansaru” and coordinator of several terrorist sleeper cells across the country.
Ribadu also stated that Usman’s deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri (also known as Malam Mamuda), worked as his chief of staff, leading the Mahmudawa cell around Kainji National Park.
Ansaru emerged in January 2012 in Kano as a splinter faction from Boko Haram.
The group has been linked to several high-profile attacks and kidnappings, including the July 2022 Kuje prison break, which freed over 600 inmates.
Usman and Abba were also accused of masterminding the abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in 2013 and the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura.
