The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday confirmed the capture of two most wanted terror kingpins, Abu Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri.

Ribadu disclosed the development during a special briefing at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, explaining that security forces captured Baraa, who is the notorious leader of the Ansaru terrorist network, after an intensive operation that spanned several months.

According to the NSA, the successful operation followed a prolonged surveillance effort that began in May 2025 and culminated in Baraa’s capture in July.

“I am glad to inform you that we have successfully concluded a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation which led to the capture of the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate,” Ribadu said, explaining that the group was first formed in January 2012 with a public declaration in Kano.

Ribadu said the group emerged as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, positioning itself as a “humane alternative”; however, its stated aim quickly turned to attacking Nigerian security operatives, civilian communities and government infrastructure.

The group, according to Ribadu, publicly displayed the setting sun logo of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), signalling its ideological and operational alignment with global jihadist movements.

Ribadu said over the years, Ansaru entrenched itself in both urban sleeper cells and forest enclaves, across several cities in northern Nigeria and in forest-based enclaves, particularly around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara states, as well as the Benin Republic.

Speaking further on the specific details of the apprehension, Ribadu said the targeted operation, which was conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of two top ANSARU leaders who have been responsible for masterminding several terrorist attacks against Nigeria over the past years.

Muhammad Usman also known as Abu Bara’a is the self-styled Emir of Ansaru. He was the coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria. He was also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.

The second is Mahmud al-Nigeri, alias Mallam Mamuda, was Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. He is the leader of the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara states up to Benin Republic.

According to Ribadu, Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in weapons handling and IED fabrication.

He said these two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years, as they jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure.

Their operations include the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on the Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, and the May 1, 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba (Magajin Garin Daura).

Ribadu disclosed that they were also behind the abduction of the Emir of Wawa, maintaining active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

The NSA added that the two men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody.