Court Sentences Self-Styled Ansaru Emir, Deputy to Life Imprisonment for Terrorism, Kidnapping
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced two convicted terrorist leaders, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar, and Abubakar Abba, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Malam Mamuda, to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and other related offences.
The Department of State Services (DSS) described Usman as the self-proclaimed Emir of the Ansaru terrorist group, while Abba served as the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff.
The duo had earlier been arraigned on a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), coordinating sleeper cells and maintaining links with terrorist groups operating across the Sahel and Maghreb regions.
During their initial arraignment, Usman pleaded guilty only to illegal mining for the purpose of financing terrorism and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, while both defendants denied the remaining charges.
However, at the resumed hearing on Monday, both men changed their pleas and admitted guilt to all 32 counts before Justice Emeka Nwite, who subsequently convicted them.
While pleading for leniency, defence counsel Bala Dakun told the court that the convicts had shown genuine remorse, accepted responsibility for their actions and saved the court valuable time by pleading guilty.
He disclosed that Usman, who is 50 years old, is the father of 19 children and the sole breadwinner of his family, while Abba, 35, has a wife and three children. Dakun also informed the court that both men suffer from arthritis and ulcers and expressed willingness to cooperate with security agencies by providing intelligence on terrorist operations, financing and networks across the country. He further urged the court to consider granting them amnesty, similar to some rehabilitated repentant Boko Haram members.
Addressing the court personally, Usman expressed remorse, pleaded for mercy and said he regretted his actions. He added that his poor health and the hardship his imprisonment would bring upon his family weighed heavily on him, noting that he had intended to return to school before his arrest.
After considering the submissions, Justice Nwite sentenced both convicts to life imprisonment on counts 30 and 31.
The court also imposed 20-year prison terms without the option of fine on multiple counts relating to terrorism, kidnapping, terrorism financing and related offences. They each received 25 years’ imprisonment on count 11, while Abba was additionally sentenced to 15 years on count 10.
The judge ordered that all sentences run concurrently from the date of their arrest.
The DSS arrested the two men in separate operations between May and July 2025.
The prosecution identified them as among the key terrorist commanders allegedly involved in the abduction of students in Oriire, Oyo State, and said they were among those whose release was demanded by the kidnappers during ransom negotiations.
