Terrorists suspects
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
Department of State Services (DSS) has provided an update on the ongoing prosecution of several high-profile terrorism suspects across the country, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring accountability for those responsible for terror-related crimes.
The DSS in a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is scheduled to continue on November 19 the trial of two wanted terror suspects — Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba — who were apprehended during a high-risk, intelligence-led operation in July after months of surveillance.
Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Abba, also known as Isah Adam and Mahmud Al-Nigeri, are believed to be key figures in Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), the Nigerian affiliate of Al-Qaeda.
According to DSS findings, Usman, who styled himself as the Emir of ANSARU, coordinated several terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and allegedly masterminded numerous high-profile kidnappings and robberies to fund extremist operations. Abba, identified as his deputy and head of the “Mahmudawa” cell, reportedly oversaw operations around Kainji National Park, which spans the borders of Niger, Kwara, and Benin Republic.
A statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on August 16 disclosed that Usman underwent terrorist training in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, with expertise in weapons handling and improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication.
The two men are currently facing a 32-count terrorism charge, filed in late August. Usman pleaded guilty to a charge related to illegal mining and has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The DSS is also prosecuting Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the August 26, 2011 United Nations Complex bombing in Abuja, which claimed 20 lives and injured over 70 people. Arrested in 2016, Al-Barnawi is standing trial with four others — Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (alias Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (alias Bello Maishayi).
The trial, previously stalled by procedural challenges, has resumed following a DSS request for accelerated hearing, which Justice Nwite approved. During proceedings on October 23 and 24, the court viewed video recordings of the defendants’ confessional statements.
In another case, the DSS arraigned five men on August 11 for their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 people dead and more than 100 injured.
The accused — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are facing a nine-count terrorism charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025).
The prosecution alleged that the defendants, said to be members of the Al Shabab terrorist group with a cell in Kogi State, carried out the Owo attack “in furtherance of their religious ideology.” They all pleaded not guilty, and Justice Nwite denied them bail, citing the capital nature of the offences and strong evidence linking them to terrorism.
Also ongoing is the trial of suspects connected to the June 13, 2025 Yelwata massacre in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, where dozens were killed and 107 injured. The incident drew global outrage and prompted a condolence visit from President Bola Tinubu, who ordered the arrest of the perpetrators.
Following investigations, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced the arrest of 26 suspects. In August, the DSS filed terrorism charges against nine suspects, including Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi from Nasarawa State, who remain at large. Others currently on trial include Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, and Pyeure Damina.
Two additional suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, are being tried separately for allegedly launching a reprisal attack linked to the Yelwata killings. Their trial began in early September, with both defendants pleading not guilty.
Commenting on the ongoing prosecutions, DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, said:
> “The various arrests and trials of terrorism suspects showed that Nigeria’s security agencies have been diligent in dealing with the perpetrators of terror in the country. The men we are prosecuting are separate from the hundreds of suspects under the military’s protective custody, whose cases are being handled by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. In July last year, 125 of the terrorists were convicted.
> “We shall continue to make the suspects accountable for disrupting the peace of our country, in consonance with the rule of law.”
The DSS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the judiciary in ensuring justice for victims and strengthening national security through lawful counterterrorism operations.
