Court hands two Ansaru commanders life sentence over kidnapping, terrorism

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men, including a self-proclaimed leader of the terrorist group Ansaru, to life imprisonment after they admitted to charges bordering on terrorism and kidnapping for ransom.

The convicts, Mahmud Usman, who claimed to be 50 years old and the father of 19 children, and Abubakar Abba, pleaded guilty to multiple offences brought against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Usman, also known by the aliases Abu Bara’a, Abbas, and Mukhtar, was identified by prosecutors as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru.

His co-defendant, Abba, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Malam Mamuda, was described as the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff.

The two men were arraigned earlier this year on a 32-count charge filed by the DSS. Following their guilty pleas, the Federal High Court convicted and sentenced both men to life imprisonment for their roles in terrorism-related activities and kidnapping for ransom.

The two are said to be among the key terrorist leaders who were behind the Oriire, Oyo State school kidnap and demanded to be released by the government.

During their arraignment, Usman pleaded guilty to a count of illegal mining for funding terrorism/arms, and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

He pleaded not guilty to the other 31 counts, while his co-defendant, Abba, pleaded not guilty to all the 32 counts.

On July 9, however, Abba informed the court of his intention to withdraw his earlier not guilty plea, but needed some time to consult with his lawyer, a request Justice Emeka Nwite granted and adjourned till July 20.

On Monday, both defendants pleaded guilty to the 32 counts when they were read to them, following which Justice Nwite convicted them accordingly.

While appealing to the court to be lenient in sentencing the defendants, their lawyer, Bala Dakun, said by pleading guilty, his clients now appreciate the gravity of the offence they admitted to committing.

Dakun said the convicts’ guilty pleas were not intended to trivialise the offence or justify their conduct, but a show of remorse and repentance, while seeking mercy from the court.

He said the convicts saved the time of the court and the resources and time the prosecution would have deployed in bringing witnesses to the court and proving their case beyond reasonable doubt.

Dakun told the court that Usman is 50 years old, with 19 children and the sole provider of the family.

He said the second defendant, Abba, is 35 years old, with three children and a wife.

The defence lawyer said both defendants suffer from arthritis and ulcers.

Dakun said his clients promised to work with security agencies by providing them information about the operation, financing and network of the terrorist groups in the country.

He said the convicts should be granted amnesty as has been done for some repentant Boko Haram members, who have been rehabilitated.

With the permission of the court, Usman spoke in English and said he felt remorseful and that they admitted the offences, for the court to have mercy on them and their dependants, who will suffer in their absence.

Usman, who admitted having 19 children, said he suffers from bad health and that he was planning to return to school before he was arrested.

After listening to Dakun and Usman, Justice Nwite, who rose briefly, returned to hand out the sentences. He sentenced the two to life imprisonment in relation to counts 30 and 31.

The judge also sentenced them to 20 years, without an option of fine, on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 32.

The two defendants were handed 25 years in respect of count 11, while only the second defendant (Abba) got 15 years in respect of count 10.

Justice Nwite ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently from the date of their arrest.

The defendants were arrested by the prosecuting agency (DSS) in separate operations between May and July 2025.

They were charged with various offences including terrorism and terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorism, fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), among other charges.

The two defendants were equally accused of coordinating sleeper cells, attacks, and maintaining ties with terrorist groups in the Sahel/Maghreb region.

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