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September 11, 2025 by Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned three individuals on two separate charges relating to offences of terrorism, kidnapping, gun running, concealment of information, among others.
The three are Mahmud Muhammed Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar) of Okene Local Government Area, Kogi State; Abubakar Abba (aka Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri) of Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State, and Huzaifa Ahamad Haruna of Dogo village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State.
Usman and Abba, who are said to be leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda-linked organisation, were both arraigned on a 32-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.
Haruna was arraigned alone on a five-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/459/2025.
Out of the three defendants, Usman pleaded guilty to a count in which he was accused of involvement in illegal mining activities.
Following Usman’s guilty plea to count 10 of the 32-count charge, Justice Emeka Nwite convicted him on that count and sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS and adjourned till October 21 for trial.
Usman and Abba are in charge, accused, among others, of being involved in the bombing of Wawa Military Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, receiving training in weapon handling and fabrication of improvised explosive devices.
They are also alleged to belong to foreign terror groups; engaged in terrorism financing, kidnapping, and receiving training on war tactics from a terrorizing organization in Mali.
The DSS equally accused them of kidnapping a Customs officer and another Immigration Officer, who was killed while in their custody.
The DSS alleged that the defendants collected ransom in millions of naira from the families of their victims before they were eventually arrested.
The defendants were also alleged to have engaged in unlawful mining of mineral resources without a valid license, from which they also made millions of naira.
The DSS claimed that the huge sums they realised from kidnapping and unlawful minerals mining were deployed to the procurement of arms and ammunition, including improvised explosive devices.
It also alleged that both defendants received training on terrorism and war tactics in Sudan and Mali, and also facilitated similar training for their followers.
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Usman and Abba are also accused of concealing information on terror attacks on various locations in Niger State.
On his part, Haruna is among others, accused of “knowingly render support for the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material assistance for and transportation of Seven (7) M-16 assault rifles with serial numbers: 0700422; 24006914; 00513011; 07000135; 24007165; 07000417; and 07000822, as well as seven empty magazines in a green coloured Opel Vectra vehicle with Reg No: BSA-732-AE (Plateau).
Haruna is also accused of possessing seven M-16 assault rifles with serial numbers: 0700422; 24006914; 00513011; 07000135; 24007165; 07000417; and 07000822, as well as seven empty magazines, without a license.
He is equally alleged to have knowingly rendered support for the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material assistance for and transportation of five M-16 assault rifles from Dogo Village, Barkin Ladi LGA to one Wakill Julide in Wase LGA, Plateau State.
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