The Department of State Services (DSS) has provided an update on the prosecution of terrorism suspects in Nigeria. On November 19, the Federal High Court in Abuja will continue the trial of two high-profile terrorism suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba.
The duo, believed to be leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, were captured in July after a high-risk, intelligence-led operation.
Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, allegedly coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and robberies to finance terrorism. Abba, Usman’s deputy, is accused of leading the “Mahmudawa” cell, which operated around the Kainji National Park.
The suspects are facing a 32-count terrorism charge, with Usman pleading guilty to one count of illegal mining and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The DSS is also prosecuting other terror suspects, including, Khalid Al-Barnawi, Accused of masterminding the 2011 United Nations Complex bombing in Abuja, which killed 20 people and injured over 70. Five men accused of the 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State.
The attack resulted in over 40 deaths and more than 100 injuries.- Suspects involved in the Yelwata massacre in Benue State Dozens of people were killed and over 100 injured in the attack.DSS’s Commitment to Combating Terrorism.
The DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, emphasized the agency’s commitment to holding terror suspects accountable and disrupting their activities.
