The Nation’s Security Agencies comprising the Military, Police, the Department of State Service , DSS and other intelligence agencies have arrested the two most wanted notorious Terrorists Ansaru leaders, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda.

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in company of the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS General C G Musa Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Director General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, top Security officials some members of the Federal Executive Council,disclosed this at a World Press briefing in Abuja at the National Counter Terrorism Centre on Saturday.

According to Mallam Ribadu, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda were responsible for Kuje prison break and other high profile abduction in North West and North Central of Nigeria.

“Today, I am glad to inform you that we have successfully concluded a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation which led to the capture of the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.

READ ALSO:Soldiers Kill Three Terrorist Kingpins In Sokoto

“The group was first formed in January 2012 with a public declaration in Kano. It emerged as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, positioning itself as a “humane alternative.” However, its stated aim quickly turned to attacking Nigerian security operatives, civilian communities and government infrastructure.

”The group publicly displayed the setting sun logo of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), signaling its ideological and operational alignment with global jihadist movements.

“Over the years, Ansaru entrenched itself in both urban sleeper cells and forest enclaves, across several cities in northern Nigeria and in forest based enclaves particularly around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States as well as Benin Republic.

Mallam Ribadu explained that the precision operation that led to the capture of the terrorist leaders, followed months (from May to July 2025) of “deep surveillance, human intelligence, and technical tracking, which demonstrates enhanced sophistication and seamless inter-agency synergy.”

READ ALSO:The Walking Dead’ Actress Kelley Mack Is Dead

He pointed out that Abu Bara’a, whose real name is Mahmud Muhammad Usman, was the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, and had coordinated various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria, and also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.

According to the NSA, Mamuda, whose real name is Mahmud al-Nigeri, was Abu Baraa’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and deputy.

“He is the leader of the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to Benin Republic.

“Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specializing in weapons handling and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) fabrication,” Ribadu said.

READ ALSO:14 Chinese Jailed For Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud In Lagos

The NSA further added that the two terrorist leaders had jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure.

According to him, “Their operations include the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack 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). They were also behind the abduction of the Emir of Wawa and they maintain active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

“The two men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody.”

Mallam Ribadu further explained that the capture of Abu Bara and Mallam Mamuda, the group’s leader and deputy, marked one of the most significant achievements to date in the ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Canadian Court Declares APC, PDP Terrorist Organisations

According to him “ The successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception.

“This stride has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group.”

Mallam Ribadu further explained that security forces captured and recovered valuable actionable intelligence, including a cache of materials and digital evidence which, he said, were all now undergoing forensic analysis.

According to him, the findings from the analysis were expected to support ongoing efforts to “exploit this success, bring them to justice, and completely annihilate the residual of ANSARU networks and disrupt their foreign collaborators.

“This feat undoubtedly exemplifies Nigeria’s advancing counter-terrorism capabilities.”

READ ALSO:Troops Arrest Chinese National, Five Others In Borno Over Terrorism Links — DHQ

The NSA reassured the public that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not relent in its drive to make Nigeria safe for all citizens and the foreigners alike

Also speaking,the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, urged the citizens to support the government to make the country safer for economic growth and development.

He commended the efforts of the security agencies in. the ongoing total war against insurgency activities in the country

The Minister who urged the media not to be swayed by terrorists propaganda, noting that terrorism drives on publicity, reiterated the commitment of the present administration to rid off the country all criminal elements wherever they might operating in the efforts to boost the nation’s economic development.
(TRIBUNE)

Tragedy occurred along the People’s Club/Limca Road, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, when a black Lexus Jeep driving by security operatives suspected to be DSS officials in a convoy rammed into two tricycles, killing one passer-by instantly and injuring several others.

It was gathered that the incident which happened at about 6.30am on Saturday, created panic in the area as occupants of the two tricycles were immediately rushed to an undisclosed nearby hospital where they were said to have been placed on a danger list.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, said, “The security men, suspected to be DSS officials, about four of them, driving on a high speed hit the two tricycles and when they discovered that the occupants were badly injured and one already dead, they abandoned their Lexus Jeep and fled with their service rifles for fear of a mob attack.

“Due to the high speed, the driver of the vehicle rammed into the tricycles, resulting in the unfortunate death of one person, while others sustained varying degrees of injury. The vehicle was subsequently abandoned at the scene as they fled.”

READ ALSO:

When contacted, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the accident.

Ikenga, however, said preliminary enquiries confirmed that the recovered vehicle does not belong to any security agency in the state as speculated.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has commenced investigation into a fatal motor accident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, 2025, at People’s Club/Limca Road, Obosi, involving a Lexus Jeep and two tricycles popularly known as Keke.

“Preliminary information at the disposal of the Command revealed that the driver of the Lexus Jeep rammed into the tricycles, resulting in the unfortunate death of one occupant, while others sustained varying degrees of injury.

READ ALSO:

“The vehicle was subsequently abandoned at the scene as its occupants fled. Police operatives attached to Isiowulu Division quickly responded, secured the area, recovered the abandoned vehicle, and evacuated the victims to a hospital, where one was later confirmed dead.

“Further enquiries have established that the recovered Lexus Jeep does not belong to any security agency in the State.”

Ikenga added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident.

Orutugu also appealed to residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with the Police, as efforts are being intensified to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Operatives of the Kebbi State Police Command have recorded another breakthrough in their ongoing fight against banditry as operatives in Ribah successfully rescued two kidnapped victims unhurt after a fierce gun battle with bandits.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the rescue operation took place on August 15, 2025, at about 3:05 p.m. during an aggressive patrol around Dankade village in Ribah district, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

The statement reads, “The joint team, which comprised police officers, vigilantes, and local hunters, was led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ribah.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Suspected Armed Rubbers, Members Of Kidnapping Syndicate In Rivers

“The operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted for hours before successfully rescuing 26-year-old Tukur Bello of Kembawa village, Augie LGA, Kebbi State, and 25-year-old Isyaka Abubakar of Budun village, Gummi LGA, Zamfara State.

“The victims were abducted on August 9, 2025, while grazing their cows at Gairi forest in Zamfara State. Police confirmed that both men were rescued unharmed and were immediately taken to a medical facility for examination before being reunited with their families.”

He further said the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, commended the resilience, determination, and professionalism displayed by the DPO Ribah and his team.

READ ALSO:Ekiti Court Remands Lady For Stealing New Born In Health Facility

“He urged them to sustain the momentum in the fight against banditry and other violent crimes threatening peace and socio-economic development in the area.

“The CP also encouraged other Divisional Police Officers across the state to emulate the Ribah division by embarking on aggressive patrols and visibility policing along highways and in vulnerable communities.

“Reaffirming the command’s commitment to security, CP Sani assured residents that the police would not relent in safeguarding the lives and property of law-abiding citizens in Kebbi State.”