Federal Government Captures Kuje Prison Break Masterminds And Top Al-Qaeda Leaders.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against terrorism, announcing the arrest of two senior leaders of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansaru group, identified as key masterminds behind the 2022 Kuje prison break. National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu revealed the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, 16 August 2025, hailing the operation as a significant blow to the terrorist organisation.
The suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, alias Mallam Mamuda, were apprehended in an intelligence-led operation conducted between May and July 2025. Abu Bara’a, described as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and orchestrated high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies to fund extremist activities. Mallam Mamuda, who led the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park, received training in Libya between 2013 and 2015, specialising in weapons handling and improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication.
Ribadu disclosed that the duo, long on Nigeria’s most-wanted list and sought internationally, were linked to several high-profile attacks, including the 2022 Kuje prison break, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, and the abduction of the Emir of Wawa. They also maintained active connections with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, including in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The operation, which involved months of surveillance and collaboration among security and intelligence agencies, resulted in the recovery of a cache of materials and digital evidence currently undergoing forensic analysis. Ribadu described the arrests as a “decisive blow” that has dismantled Ansaru’s central command, paving the way for the group’s potential eradication. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and commended the armed forces and intelligence agencies for their relentless efforts.
The NSA urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security authorities, emphasising that national security is a shared responsibility. The government’s success in capturing these key figures underscores its commitment to combating terrorism with precision and determination, offering hope for a safer Nigeria.
