Home Politics Notorious Terrorist Abu Baraa, Al-Qaeda-Linked Ansaru Leader, Captured in Major Security Breakthrough...

Notorious Terrorist Abu Baraa, Al-Qaeda-Linked Ansaru Leader, Captured in Major Security Breakthrough – NSA Ribadu

August 16, 2025

Security operatives have arrested Abu Baraa, the notorious leader of the Ansaru terrorist group, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

Baraa has long been wanted for orchestrating several high-profile attacks across Nigeria.

Abu Baraa’s was officially announced on Saturday by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, during a press briefing held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja.

Ribadu said Baraa has been on the radar of security agencies since May and was picked up in July.

The NSA described the arrest of Abu Baraa as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

Ribadu said: “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.

“The group was first formed in January 2012 with a public declaration in Kano. It 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 publicly displayed the setting sun logo of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), signaling its ideological and operational alignment with global jihadist movements.”