The United States government has hailed Nigeria’s recent arrest of tAs suspected leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, describing it as a laudable achievement in the country’s ongoing war against terrorism and violent extremism.
In a statement posted on X by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday, Washington applauded the successful capture of wanted Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda).
ll “This is a significant step forward in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and extremism. We commend the Nigerian Government and security forces on the successful arrest of wanted #Ansaru leaders,” the Mission stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had on August 16 announced the arrests following a series of intelligence-led operations between May and July.
According to Ribadu, Usman, who styled himself as the Emir of Ansaru, coordinated sleeper cells across the country and masterminded kidnappings and robberies to fund the group’s operations. He linked the duo to several high-profile terror incidents, including:
The 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja that freed dozens of Boko Haram inmates.
The 2013 attack on a uranium facility in Niger Republic.
The kidnapping of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina.
The 2019 abduction of Musa Uba, the Magajin Garin Daura.
The kidnapping of the Emir of Wawa in Niger State.
Ribadu emphasized that the arrests marked a major blow to the group’s leadership and a boost to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism drive.