DSS Confirms Progress in Trial Of Ansaru Leaders, Other Terror Suspects

The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that the trial of two internationally wanted terror suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba — alleged leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate — will resume on November 19 before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a statement issued by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications for the DSS, the agency said the development marks another critical step in the country’s ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, were captured in July during a high-risk, intelligence-led operation after months of surveillance and pursuit.

According to the DSS, Usman, who styled himself as the “Emir” of ANSARU, allegedly coordinated multiple terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and masterminded a series of high-profile kidnappings and robberies used to fund terrorist activities. Abba, described as his chief of staff and deputy, reportedly led the “Mahmudawa” cell, which operated around the Kainji National Park, straddling parts of Niger and Kwara States and extending to the Republic of Benin.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had earlier disclosed that Usman received terrorist training in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, with a focus on weapons handling and improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication.

The DSS said both men are facing a 32-count terrorism charge, filed in August 2025. Usman has already pleaded guilty to one count related to illegal mining and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Other Ongoing Terror Trials

The DSS also provided updates on other major terrorism prosecutions currently before the courts.

Among them is the case against Khalid Al-Barnawi, the alleged mastermind of the 2011 United Nations building bombing in Abuja, which killed 20 people and injured more than 70 others. Captured in 2016, Al-Barnawi is on trial alongside four associates — Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (aka Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi).

After years of procedural delays, the DSS said the court has now approved an accelerated hearing. During a trial-within-trial held on October 23 and 24, video recordings of the defendants’ confessional statements were played in court.

Owo Church Attack Suspects Face Trial

The DSS further confirmed progress in the prosecution of five suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 people injured.

The accused — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were arraigned on a nine-count terrorism charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025), alleging membership of the Al-Shabab terrorist network operating in Kogi State.

Justice Nwite denied their bail applications on September 10, ruling that the charges were capital in nature and the evidence against them substantial.

Benue Yelwata Massacre: 26 Arrested, Trials Underway

The DSS also reported progress in the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the June 13, 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State’s Guma Local Government Area, which left dozens dead and over 100 injured.

Following nationwide outrage and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolence visit to the state, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced the arrest of 26 suspects.

In August, the DSS filed six separate terrorism-related charges against nine of them before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Two suspects, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, remain at large, accused of concealing information about the attacks in Abinsi and Yelwata villages.

Additionally, two other men — Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both from Guma LGA — are being tried for alleged reprisal attacks linked to the same incidents. Their trial, presided over by Justice Nwite, began in September, with both defendants pleading not guilty.

DSS Director General Tosin Ajayi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to lawful counterterrorism efforts, stressing that ongoing trials underscore the agency’s diligence in tackling terrorism.

“The various arrests and trials of terrorism suspects show that Nigeria’s security agencies are diligent in dealing with those who disrupt the peace of our country,” Ajayi said.
“The men we are prosecuting are separate from the hundreds of suspects under military custody, whose cases are being handled by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. In July last year, 125 terrorists were convicted. We shall continue to make offenders accountable, in consonance with the rule of law.”