Ansaru Terrorist Leaders Captured,.Reveals NSA Ribadu

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday, confirmed the arrest of the leadership of the Ansaru terrorist organisation, otherwise known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, alongside the leaders of the Mahmudawa terror group.

Ribadu, while addressing journalists in Abuja, described the arrests as a “major breakthrough” in the country’s counter-terrorism operations. He noted that the security agencies had, over the past months, intensified intelligence-driven operations to track and dismantle terrorist cells operating in the North-West and North-Central regions.

“The capture of the leadership of Ansaru and Mahmudawa is a significant step towards degrading terrorist networks that have been responsible for kidnappings, attacks on security personnel, and the spread of extremist ideology in parts of the country,” Ribadu stated.

Ansaru, which emerged in 2012 as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and became notorious for targeting foreigners, including high-profile kidnappings.

The group was also accused of coordinating armed attacks on security convoys and providing training to other militant cells.

The Mahmudawa group, a less prominent but highly violent faction, has reportedly been involved in banditry-terrorism collaboration, further complicating Nigeria’s security landscape.

Security analysts have welcomed the arrests, stressing that dismantling leadership structures often cripples extremist groups, though they cautioned that remnants may attempt reprisals.

Ribadu reassured Nigerians that the government remains committed to eradicating terrorism and criminality.

“This success is proof that our intelligence, our security forces, and our collective resolve are working. We will not relent until Nigeria is safe,” he said.

Further details on the identities of the arrested leaders and the operations that led to their capture were not disclosed for security reasons.