The Department of State Services (DSS) has provided fresh updates on ongoing prosecutions of several high-profile terrorism suspects across the country, including key members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, is set to continue the trial of two alleged ANSARU leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba, on November 19. The duo, who were declared internationally wanted, were arrested in July 2025 after an intensive intelligence-led counterterrorism operation.
According to the DSS, Usman, known as Abu Bara’a and the self-proclaimed Emir of ANSARU, allegedly coordinated terrorist sleeper cells and masterminded several kidnappings and robberies to finance insurgent activities. His deputy, Abba, also called Isah Adam and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, was said to have led the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park on the borders of Niger, Kwara, and Benin Republic.
A statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser earlier disclosed that Usman received weapons and explosives training in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.
Both suspects were arraigned on a 32-count terrorism charge in August. Usman pleaded guilty to one count related to illegal mining and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The DSS is also prosecuting Khalid Al-Barnawi, the alleged mastermind of the 2011 United Nations building bombing in Abuja, which killed 20 people and injured over 70 others. Al-Barnawi, arrested in 2016, is standing trial alongside four others — Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (alias Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (alias Bello Maishayi).
Justice Nwite recently granted an accelerated hearing in the case following prolonged delays due to procedural challenges and lack of legal representation for some defendants. Videos of the defendants’ confessional statements were played in court during a trial-within-trial on October 23 and 24.
In another case, the DSS arraigned five men on August 11 over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 people dead and more than 100 injured. The accused — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were charged with nine counts of terrorism and alleged membership of the Al-Shabab group based in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite denied them bail on September 10, citing the capital nature of their offences and the strong evidence presented by the prosecution.
Meanwhile, suspects linked to the June 13, 2025 Yelwata massacre in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State are also standing trial. The attack, which killed dozens and injured over 100, prompted President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state.
The DSS filed multiple terrorism charges against several suspects, including Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, and others, with two — Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi — still at large. Two other men, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, are being tried for a reprisal attack related to the incident.
DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi said the series of arrests and prosecutions demonstrate the government’s determination to hold terror suspects accountable.
“The various arrests and trials show that Nigeria’s security agencies are diligent in dealing with perpetrators of terror in the country,” Ajayi stated.
“These prosecutions are separate from those being handled under the military’s custody, where 125 terrorists were convicted last year. We will continue to ensure justice in accordance with the rule of law.”
