US And UK Applaud Nigeria For Arresting Senior Ansaru Terrorist Leaders.
The United States and United Kingdom have praised the Nigerian government for the successful arrest of two high-ranking leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, marking a significant milestone in the country’s fight against terrorism. The apprehended individuals, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, known as Mallam Mamuda, were captured in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted between May and July 2025, according to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The US Mission in Nigeria issued a statement on its official X account, commending the Nigerian government and security forces for their efforts. The arrests were described as a “significant step forward” in combating terrorism and extremism in Nigeria. The statement highlighted the importance of the operation in dismantling the leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, a splinter faction of Boko Haram with ties to Al-Qaeda.
Mahmud Muhammad Usman, the self-proclaimed Emir of Ansaru, is accused of coordinating terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and orchestrating numerous high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies to fund the group’s activities. His deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, led the notorious “Mahmudawa” cell, operating primarily around Kainji National Park, an area spanning Niger and Kwara States and extending into Benin Republic. Al-Nigeri reportedly received training in Libya between 2013 and 2015, specialising in weapons handling and the fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, also lauded the arrests, describing them as an “extraordinary and significant success” in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts. The operations, which Ribadu noted were high-risk and intelligence-driven, targeted individuals on the most-wanted lists of Nigeria, the US, the UK, and the United Nations. The suspects are linked to several major attacks, including the 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja, which freed numerous Boko Haram inmates, and the 2013 kidnapping of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina.
Security analysts have hailed the arrests as a strategic blow to Ansaru, which has been responsible for deadly attacks and kidnappings across northern Nigeria. The group’s activities, including the 2019 abduction of the Emir of Wawa and the Kaduna-Abuja train attack, have posed significant threats to regional security. The capture of these leaders is expected to disrupt Ansaru’s command structure and hinder its ability to recruit and finance further operations.
The US has pledged continued support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, emphasising the importance of regional security cooperation. In Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory also commended Ribadu and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for their roles in the operation and broader efforts to promote inclusive governance.
Ribadu revealed that security forces recovered valuable materials and digital evidence during the operations, which are now undergoing forensic analysis to generate further intelligence on Ansaru’s remaining cells and foreign collaborators. He called on citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies, stressing that national security is a shared responsibility.
The successful operation underscores Nigeria’s growing counter-terrorism capabilities, with Ribadu crediting President Bola Tinubu for providing strategic guidance. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged the media to avoid amplifying terrorist propaganda and to support collaborative efforts to ensure a safer Nigeria.