How We Captured Globally Wanted Terrorist Leaders – NSA Ribadu

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has revealed how the Federal Government captured two globally wanted terrorist leaders, describing the operation as one of the most significant counter-terrorism breakthroughs in Nigeria’s history.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Ribadu announced the arrest of Amir Mahmud Mohammed Usman, also known as Abu Baraa, and his deputy, Amir Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly called Mallam Mamuda. Both men were apprehended in a targeted intelligence-led operation carried out between May and July 2025.

Abu Baraa, the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, is said to have coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across the country and masterminded several kidnappings, armed robberies, and attacks used to finance the group’s operations. His deputy, Mallam Mamuda, led the Mahmudawa cell around Kainji National Park, spanning Niger and Kwara States up to Benin Republic. Security sources disclosed that Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under jihadist instructors from North Africa, specializing in weapons handling and the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.

According to the NSA, both men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years. They were responsible for multiple high-profile operations, including the 2022 Kuje Prison Break, the attack on a Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the 2019 kidnap of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, and the abduction of the Emir of Wawa. Ribadu said they also maintained active links with jihadist groups across Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

He described their capture as the result of months of surveillance, human intelligence, and technical tracking, coordinated across Nigeria’s security agencies. “The successful operation marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception. It has effectively dismantled the group’s central command while paving the way for its complete annihilation,” Ribadu said. He added that security forces recovered a cache of materials and digital evidence now undergoing forensic analysis, which will support further operations and help disrupt the group’s foreign collaborators.

ANSARU was formed in 2012 in Kano after breaking away from Boko Haram. Though it initially presented itself as a humane alternative, the group quickly became notorious for attacks on civilians, security forces, and government infrastructure, while openly displaying allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Over the years, it entrenched itself through urban sleeper cells and forest enclaves around Kainji National Park.

Ribadu said the arrests marked a turning point. “The capture of Abu Baraa and Mallam Mamuda signals the beginning of the end of impunity for terrorist leaders. This is a decisive step forward, and Nigeria will continue to pursue extremists with precision and resolve,” he stated.

He commended the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and the media for their support and urged citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies. Present at the briefing were Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of Information and National Orientation; General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Major-General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency; and Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services.