Metro

FG Captures Two Ansaru Terrorist Leaders

Published

3 months ago

August 17, 2025

Editor

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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)

Metro

JUST IN: Appeal Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Case Against DSS DG, AGF

Published

7 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Editor

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday struck out an appeal filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and convicted terrorism offender, challenging alleged violations of his fundamental rights while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court held that the appeal was without merit and had become academic following Kanu’s November 20 conviction for terrorism by a Federal High Court.

A three-member panel of the appellate court ruled that Kanu’s claims regarding breaches of his rights to human dignity, access to quality health care, and freedom of religion were no longer actionable after his life imprisonment sentence and subsequent remand in prison custody.

In the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Moses Ugo noted that the matter had become academic following confirmation by Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, at the start of proceedings that his client was being held at Sokoto Prison. Justice Ugo stated that the court could no longer grant Kanu’s request to be transferred to Kuje Prison, which he had sought as part of the appeal.

The judge further observed that since Kanu had previously indicated a preference for prison custody, the court could no longer grant his prayers in light of his conviction and current imprisonment at the facility he had desired.

The appeal challenged the July 3 ruling of Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, now retired, which had dismissed Kanu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit on the grounds that he failed to substantiate his claims.

The respondents in the appeal were the Director-General of the DSS, the Department of State Services, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The court’s judgment effectively ends the legal challenge to Kanu’s detention conditions, following his life sentence for terrorism offences.

Recall that on November 20, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a series of rulings convicting Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on several terrorism-related charges.

Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the matter, first found Kanu guilty on two counts linked to engaging in acts of terrorism. The court held that his repeated declarations of sit-at-home orders, alongside threats of violence and killings issued through various broadcasts, amounted to terrorism under the relevant laws.

As the judgment progressed, the court also ruled on three additional counts, convicting Kanu of belonging to a proscribed organisation and of inciting his followers to violence.

Justice Omotosho stated that the prosecution presented evidence showing that Kanu remained a member of IPOB and its affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), despite their proscription.

The court further held that broadcasts attributed to Kanu were shown to have encouraged attacks that led to the deaths of security personnel and the destruction of public facilities, including police stations.

Metro

Oyo: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Ravages Residential Buildings

Published

7 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Editor

Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed as a result of fire that ravaged two residential buildings in Oyo State.

It was gathered on Friday that the incidents occurred in Ibadan, the state capital and Kishi town.

The first incident occurred at 17 Prestige Estate, Joop Bad hour Crescent, Onírẹlẹ in Ibadan.

The living room of the four-bedroom duplex residential building was engulfed by fire in the incident which occurred Wednesday night.

Properties worth millions of naira were affected although no life was lost in the incident.

The second fire incident occurred at 1, Alhaji Rosco Street, Ajangba Area in Kishi town on Wednesday night.

It was learnt that the generator room of the residential building was seriously affected.

Properties worth millions of were said to be affected.

Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Hon Maroof Akinwande confirmed the two incidents on Friday.

Akinwande noted that no life was lost in the two incidents.

He said, “On getting there, it was the living room of a four-bedroom duplex residential building engulfed by fire. Our officers promptly launched a coordinated attack on the blaze and restricted the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.

“No casualty was recorded, the properties worth millions of naira were saved by the officers of the agency, and the cause of the fire incident is still under investigation”.

He also confirmed the second fire incident.

He said, “Upon arrival, it was the generator room of a four-bedroom flat engulfed EAby fire.

“The firemen swiftly swung into action and curtailed the fire from spreading to the main building.

“The fire was completely extinguished within a twinkle of an eye.”

Metro

JUST IN: One Dead As Ngige Escapes Assassination

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Gunmen who dressed in police and army camouflage on Thursday attacked the convoy of the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, leaving one dead.

A lady who was caught videoing the gunmen reportedly came out of her hairdressing salon.

She was shot and died on the spot after she was spotted capturing the incident with her phone yesterday.

Ngige, who last served as the Labour Minister, reportedly escaped death following an attack on his convoy as he was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

It was learnt that the gunmen ran into the former governor’s convoy along Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State and opened fire, prompting return fire from security operatives in the convoy.

According to a source, a police officer and a civilian who owned a shop were also injured during the gunmen’s attack.

A statement issued by Ngige’s media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed that the former governor was not in the convoy when the assailants struck.

The statement noted that the attackers, reportedly dressed in police and army uniforms, opened fire on the pilot vehicle, injuring the lead escort.

The statement stressed that the policeman in the pilot car sustained gunshot wounds, while the attackers made away with his gun and uniform.

The pilot vehicle, it was gathered, was riddled with bullets during the assault.

Ngige, who spoke by phone through Chukwuelobe, said: “I just got off the phone with His Excellency, and he confirmed the development, promising to do all he can to ensure that those injured receive adequate treatment.”

He also commiserated with the family of the unfortunate lady who was killed while videoing the scene,” Chukwuelobe said.

“A shop owner who ran out to see what was happening was also shot. He reportedly lost a significant amount of blood and is scheduled for surgery to remove bullets, but doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

The injured escort leader has also undergone surgery and is responding well,” he added.

Ngige’s side dismissed insinuations that a police officer was killed in the attack.

Contacted, the State Command confirmed the attack on the former governor Ngige’s convoy, clarifying that the police had recovered the vehicle, which was riddled with bullets by the gunmen.