A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the banned Ansaru sect, to 15 years imprisonment.
Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of illegal mining and using the proceeds to fund arms for terrorism and kidnapping activities.
Justice Emeka Nwite directed that Usman remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as he awaits trial on 31 additional terrorism-related charges.
Usman, who referred to himself as the “Emir of Ansaru,” was arraigned alongside his deputy and chief of staff, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda.
Both men face a 32-count charge bordering on leading a terrorist organisation, financing terrorism, recruiting fighters, and coordinating violent attacks across Nigeria.
Ansaru militants were linked to the July 2022 attack on Kuje prison in Abuja, during which over 600 inmates, including 64 Boko Haram suspects, escaped.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
