Nigerian security forces have arrested two leaders of the al-Qaeda-linked group Ansaru, who are accused of orchestrating several high-profile attacks. The capture of Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri, who were on both national and international most-wanted lists, was announced on Saturday, 16 August, by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The arrests, which took place during a targeted operation between May and July, have been hailed as a major victory in Nigeria’s long-standing battle against extremist violence. A spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu described the capture as a “significant breakthrough in the war against terrorism.”
The two men are accused of jointly spearheading numerous attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure across the country. The Ansaru group has been a persistent threat in the region for over a decade.
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A history of high-profile attacks
The captured leaders are allegedly responsible for some of the most audacious attacks in Nigeria in recent years. These include the brazen July 2022 jailbreak at the Kuje medium-security prison in the capital, Abuja, where explosives and gunfire were used to free hundreds of inmates, including many jailed jihadists. Ansaru claimed responsibility for the attack.
Furthermore, the group is accused of the 2022 bombing of a train travelling between Abuja and Kaduna, which resulted in eight deaths and the kidnapping of dozens of passengers who were held for months. Officials also link the arrested leaders to kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies used to finance their operations, and an attack on a uranium facility in Niger in 2013. The sustained violence by Ansaru has contributed significantly to instability in the country’s northern and central regions.
Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, was formed in 2012 as a splinter group from Boko Haram and later aligned itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The United States designated it a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” in 2013.
According to security adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the capture of its leadership has “effectively dismantled its central command,” paving the way for the potential annihilation of the group. The successful operation against Ansaru is seen as a critical step in restoring security and order.
Image via Punch.
