The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, over the capture of two notorious terrorist leaders who have long been on Nigeria’s Wanted List.

The DSS recently announced the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, the self- proclaimed Amir of Ansaru, and his ally, Mahmud al-Nigeri, who headed the Mahmuda group. Both men, considered dangerous and influential within extremist circles, were apprehended in a sting operation carried out between May and July 2025.

According to reports, the operation, which has been described as one of the most successful security crackdowns in recent years, ended a long manhunt for the two, who had previously evaded arrest by Nigerian security forces and international intelligence agencies. The United States, United Kingdom, and the United Nations had also placed them on their wanted lists for terrorist activities spanning several years.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC described the development as “a major blow to terrorism in Nigeria” and urged the government to consolidate on the gains.

“MURIC hails Nigeria’s indefatigable National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for replicating his brilliant performance and enviable record as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in his present position,” Akintola said.

He credited Ribadu’s leadership with the “big comeback” of security agencies in recent months, pointing to the resilience and success recorded against Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements. According to him, these achievements are the result of Ribadu’s “methodical cum microscopic re-engineering of Nigeria’s security paraphernalia.”

The human rights organisation also praised DSS Director-General, Ajayi, for what it called “silent but effective containment of security threats.” Akintola noted that since Ajayi’s appointment in August 2024, the agency had adopted a strategy marked by discreet but impactful operations that reflect “undiluted professionalism.”

Beyond commending the leadership of the security agencies, MURIC paid tribute to DSS operatives working in the field. Akintola described them as “the lurking shadows at street corners, those who spend days sleeping inside vehicles, those who lose their identities in crowds, those who are to see but must not be seen.” He added, “We salute them. We appreciate their sacrifices for our great country, Nigeria. They are the real heroes.”

The organisation urged the Federal Government to increase investment in security, stressing that the welfare and equipment needs of operatives should not be overlooked. “No amount spent on security is wasted because every other sector depends on the safety of the ecosystem to function,” Akintola said.

Reaffirming its opposition to extremism, MURIC reiterated that terrorism runs contrary to the teachings of Islam. The group emphasised that violent groups should not be mistaken as representing Muslims, describing them instead as obstacles to the progress of Islam.

“For the umpteenth time, we decry terrorism and all forms of violence. True to our avowed motto, ‘Dialogue, No Violence,’ we hold that violence is a square peg while vengeance and justice are round holes. They do not fit. We reject all groups that are promoting, rationalising, or pursuing violence. What you seek is never what you get,” the statement read.

“We assert clearly, unequivocally, and emphatically that terrorists do not represent Muslims; rather, they smear the good name of Islam and deface the whole gamut of Islamic architecture,” Akintola added.