Two high-ranking Ansaru leaders currently being tried at the Federal High Court in Abuja have entered guilty pleas regarding 32 charges of terrorism. The defendants are Mahmud Usman, known as Abu Bara’a, who serves as the self-appointed Emir of the group, and his chief of staff, Abubakar Abba, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri.
Justice Emeka Nwite presided over the session where the men updated their pleas following advice from their legal counsel, Bala Dakum. David Kaswe, representing the Department of State Services, raised no objections when asked to read the charges once more. These individuals were originally taken into custody by the DSS and formally appeared in court on September 11, 2025.
During their initial arraignment, the commanders maintained their innocence, though Usman previously accepted a guilty verdict on a single count related to illegal mining used to finance terrorist activities, resulting in a 15-year jail term. By changing their stance, both men have now acknowledged their roles in the broader set of terrorism-related allegations.
