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Two suspected Ansaru commanders plead guilty to terrorism
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Two suspected Ansaru commanders plead guilty to terrorism

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Two suspected senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group pleaded guilty to 32 terrorism-related charges in Abuja.
  • Mahmud Usman, the self-styled Emir, and Abubakar Abba, his deputy, changed their pleas after months of trial.
  • Usman had previously pleaded guilty to illegal mining for terrorism funding and received a 15-year sentence.

Two high-ranking commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group have pleaded guilty to 32 terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Mahmud Usman, who identified himself as the Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, changed their pleas to guilty after months of legal proceedings. The change of plea came after consultations with their lawyer, Bala Dakum. The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned the two commanders on September 11, 2025, following their arrest. Previously, Usman had pleaded guilty to count 10 of the charges, which involved illegal mining to fund terrorism and arms procurement. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for that offense. However, he maintained a not guilty plea for the remaining 31 counts, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges initially. The court is expected to proceed with sentencing for the charges to which they have now pleaded guilty.

The two, after consultation, had decided to change their pleas.

— Bala DakumThe lawyer for the defendants informing the court about their decision to change their plea.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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