In a thunderous breakthrough against terrorism, Nigeria’s security forces have netted two of the most dreaded terror masterminds in a high-risk operation hailed as one of the country’s biggest counter-terrorism victories.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, revealed that the dramatic sting led to the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman a.k.a. Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar, the self-proclaimed Emir of Ansaru, and his ruthless deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri a.k.a. Mallam Mamuda.

“These men were international fugitives, long on our radar. Today, I am glad to announce they are in our custody,” Ribadu declared triumphantly.

The Terror Lords of Ansaru

Usman, described as the shadowy coordinator of Ansaru sleeper cells across Nigeria, is accused of masterminding high-profile kidnappings, armed robberies, and countless bloody assaults against civilians and security forces.

His partner-in-crime, al-Nigeri, infamously commanded the deadly “Mahmudawa” cell entrenched in the Kainji National Park axis stretching from Niger and Kwara States to the Benin Republic. A Libyan-trained jihadist, he specialised in IED fabrication and guerrilla warfare tactics after training with North African extremists.

Ansaru: Boko Haram’s Ruthless Offshoot

Formed in 2012 as a splinter from Boko Haram, Ansaru once pretended to be a “humane alternative.” But that façade quickly crumbled as the group unleashed a reign of terror — from ambushing security forces to staging high-profile kidnappings and aligning itself openly with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Over the years, Ansaru embedded itself deep into Nigeria’s forests and cities, running sleeper cells and expanding its tentacles into the wider Sahel.

Trail of Blood and Infamy

The two captured kingpins are said to be architects of some of Nigeria’s most shocking terror strikes:

The 2022 Kuje Prison Break.

The assault on Niger’s uranium facility.

The infamous 2013 kidnapping of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina.

The brazen 2019 abduction of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura.

The kidnapping of the Emir of Wawa.

“These men had ties with terror networks in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Their arrest cripples a critical artery of international jihadism,” Ribadu emphasised.

Nigeria Roars Back

The NSA confirmed that the painstaking operation — conducted between May and July 2025 — was intelligence-led and executed with surgical precision.

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, called on Nigerians to rally behind the government:

“This is a turning point. We must not let terrorists feed off publicity. The real story is that Nigeria is winning.”

With these arrests, security analysts say Ansaru has suffered its biggest blow in a decade — a strike that could tilt the balance in Nigeria’s long war against terror.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians to adopt ranching as a sustainable solution to recurring clashes between farmers and herders.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during a briefing on the forthcoming Maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference slated for August 25–27, Musa said controlling livestock movement and keeping animals on designated ranches would prevent the destruction of farmlands and ease tensions.

He explained that ranching would not only curb conflicts but also improve livestock productivity, noting that animals lose weight and produce less milk when they roam long distances. “Why don’t you ranch them? You get the best out of them. It’s a win-win for all of us,” he said.

The CDS dismissed concerns that advocating ranching meant government would seize people’s land, describing it instead as a business opportunity for individuals and state governments. He suggested that states could establish model ranches to guide private investors.

On defence production, Musa said Nigeria was overhauling the Defence Industries Corporation to harmonise local manufacturing, standardise equipment, and prevent arms from falling into the wrong hands. He disclosed that the country was acquiring armoured vehicles, drones, and other hardware from local companies, while repairing existing equipment to extend their lifespan.

The CDS added that the initiative would bolster security, create jobs, and open export markets to neighbouring countries.

He also called for stronger African cooperation against asymmetric threats, noting that the upcoming defence conference—expected to attract delegates from 54 African nations—would focus on rapid crisis response, joint training, intelligence sharing, and developing a unified continental security strategy.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved a further extension of the grace period for enforcing the tinted glass permit requirement for vehicles until October 2, 2025.

The Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the decision followed a surge in applications on the official portal, prompting the need for more time to scrutinise requests and ensure permits are issued only to eligible persons in line with national security considerations.

The extension will also allow for continued fine-tuning of digital and physical verification processes to maintain the integrity of the permit system and prevent abuse.

The police reiterated that the authorised application platform remains possap.gov.ng and urged the public to disregard unofficial channels. Citizens were also encouraged to report extortion, hidden charges, or unauthorised processing to the police via the hotline 08147818871.

The Force pledged to balance public convenience with robust security measures.