Court Sentences Ansaru Commander to 15 Years for Terrorism-Linked Illegal Mining

A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, to 15 years in prison for engaging in illegal mining activities used to fund terrorism and kidnappings.

Usman, who was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS), pleaded guilty to the charge. The DSS stated that proceeds from his unlawful mining operations were used to procure arms for terrorist activities.

Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered that Usman remain in DSS custody pending trial on 31 other terrorism-related charges. He is jointly charged with Abubakar Abba in a 32-count indictment involving multiple acts of terrorism.

The charges include the 2022 attack on Wawa Military Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, which resulted in mass casualties. Both men are also accused of receiving weapons training, IED fabrication skills, and war tactics from terrorist camps, including some in Mali.

The DSS further alleges the defendants masterminded the July 2022 Kuje prison break, which freed over 600 inmates, and plotted an attack on a uranium facility in Niger State. They are also linked to several high-profile kidnappings, including the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp and the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, the Magajin Garin Daura.

Justice Nwite scheduled October 21 for the continuation of trial on the remaining charges.

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