A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the proscribed Ansaru sect, to 15 years in prison.

Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas or Mukhtar, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of engaging in illegal mining and using the proceeds to procure arms for terrorism and kidnapping operations.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that Usman remain in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, pending trial on 31 other terrorism-related charges.

READ ALSO:DSS Charges Top Ansaru Leaders Over Terrorism, Kuje Prison Break Roles

Usman, who referred to himself as the “Emir of Ansaru,” was arraigned alongside his deputy and chief of staff, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda.

Both men face a 32-count charge bordering on leading a terrorist organisation, financing terrorism, recruiting fighters, and coordinating violent attacks across Nigeria.

Ansaru militants were linked to the July 2022 attack on Kuje prison in Abuja, during which over 600 inmates, including 64 Boko Haram suspects, escaped.

The Nigerian Government has explained the cause of the national grid collapse around 11:20 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

According to the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, Wednesday’s grid collapse was caused by the tripping of a generation company, resulting in a significant load drop, which cascaded to other GenCos and led to a system disturbance.

NISO, responsible for the country’s national grid, made this known in a statement on Wednesday, noting that restoration of the national grid commenced immediately.

READ ALSO:Blackout As National Grid Collapses

It stated that an investigation has begun to determine both the immediate and root causes of the grid collapse.

“The disturbance was caused by the tripping of a GenCo, resulting in a significant load drop, which cascaded to other GenCos, leading to a system disturbance. NISO immediately commenced restoration of the grid at 11:45 hrs, beginning with supply to Abuja from the Shiroro power plant, and substantial restoration has been achieved across the country.

“A full investigation into the immediate and remote causes is underway.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Over 80 Suspects, Recover Guns In Delta

“The outcome(s) of the investigation report would determine the remedial and proactive actions to be taken to forestall future occurrences. We crave your indulgence to bear with us as restoration is still ongoing,” NISO said.

DAILY POST reports that national grid restoration has begun, with power supply restored in parts of Abuja.

Mele Kyari, a former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, on Wednesday, visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, office.

Kyari arrived EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja at about 2:15pm.

He was invited to answer questions on financial and technical matters during his time in office.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinubu Sacks NNPCL CEO, Mele Kyari, Names Replacement

Recall that the EFCC had placed Kyari on its watch list over an ongoing probe into the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance.

This is just as the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered a temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Kyari due to allegations of fraud.