A Federal High Court has sentenced Mahmud Muhammad Usman, a top commander of the proscribed Ansaru sect, to 15 years in prison.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment following Usman’s guilty plea in one count — illegal mining of Californium stone without lawful authority, the proceeds of which were used to buy arms and ammunition for terrorist activities.
Usman remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as trial continues on 31 other pending charges.
The charges include:
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Leading a terrorist organisation;
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Financing terrorism;
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Recruiting fighters;
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Coordinating violent attacks across Nigeria.
His deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri (also known as Abubakar Abba), faces all 32 counts. He pleaded not guilty.
Among the attacks linked to Ansaru in the prosecution are:
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The Kuje Prison break (July 2022), during which over 600 inmates escaped (64 of them Boko Haram suspects).
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The attack on Wawa Cantonment in Niger State in 2022.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has described Usman as the “coordinator of terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria” and the mastermind behind numerous kidnappings and violent operations.
The court adjourned further hearings for the remaining counts to October 21, 2025.
