Abuja, Nigeria — September 11, 2025
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, to 15 years in prison for illegal mining activities linked to terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Thursday after Usman pleaded guilty to charges that he engaged in unlawful mining operations to fund the acquisition of arms used in terrorist attacks and kidnapping operations.
Prosecutors argued that the proceeds from the mining activities were used to support violent campaigns across several regions. The court also ordered Usman’s continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) pending trial on 31 additional charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
The case has been adjourned until October 21.
Usman and another suspect, Abubakar Abba, are jointly facing a 32-count charge brought by the DSS. According to court filings, the duo allegedly orchestrated multiple terrorist operations in 2022, including a deadly assault on the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, which resulted in mass casualties.
They are also accused of masterminding the July 2022 attack on Kuje prison, which led to the escape of over 600 inmates.
Further allegations include receiving advanced training in weapons handling and the fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at various terrorist camps. Prosecutors claim both men underwent tactical combat training from a terrorist group based in Mali.
Among other crimes listed in the charge sheet are plans to attack a uranium facility in Niger, the 2013 kidnapping of French engineer Francis Collomp, the 2019 abduction of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, and a series of armed robberies.
The sentencing marks a significant development in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to prosecute individuals linked to terrorism and disrupt funding channels used by extremist groups.
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