In a significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insurgency and militancy, the government announced the arrest of two prominent militant leaders from its most-wanted list. The operation, which was conducted over several months, marks a pivotal step in enhancing national security and combating the spread of violence throughout the region.
The detainees include Mahmud Muhammad Usman, the alleged leader of the Ansaru group, a notorious Islamic militant faction linked to al-Qaida, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, head of the Mahmuda group, which has recently gained attention for a series of attacks in Nigeria’s north-central region. Both leaders have been implicated in numerous violent operations targeting civilians, security personnel, and critical infrastructure.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed that these individuals orchestrated high-profile attacks such as the 2022 Kuje prison break, which allowed dozens of Boko Haram members to escape, and a 2013 attack on a uranium facility in Niger State. The arrests came after a collaborative multi-agency security operation carried out between May and July 2025, during which valuable digital evidence was retrieved and is currently undergoing forensic analysis to uncover further militant networks.
Ribadu emphasized that this breakthrough has dismantled the central command structure of Ansaru and dealt a debilitating blow to the group’s operational capabilities. He further noted that these militants maintained active connections with terrorist factions across the Maghreb region, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, underscoring the transnational nature of the threat.
Security analysts have lauded the arrests as a major success but caution that the resilience of these groups depends largely on how intelligence is used moving forward. The Nigerian government continues to face complex security challenges from various armed factions, including Boko Haram and bandit groups responsible for kidnappings and looting.
The United States recently approved a $346 million arms sale to Nigeria aimed at bolstering the country’s counter-insurgency efforts. The arrests of Usman and al-Nigeri symbolize hopeful progress amid a challenging security landscape and reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to restoring peace and stability.
As Nigeria continues its fight, the government calls on citizens to remain vigilant and supportive of anti-terrorism efforts, while security agencies vow to sustain pressure on militant groups to safeguard the nation’s future.
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