The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the banned terrorist organisation Ansaru, to 15 years in prison.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the verdict on Thursday after Usman admitted guilt to charges of illegal mining activities. Prosecutors argued that the operations were used to finance arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping.
The court also directed that Usman remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as he still faces trial on 31 additional charges brought against him by the Federal Government. The matter was adjourned until October 21.
Usman, alongside another suspect, Abubakar Abba, is being prosecuted on a 32-count charge filed by the DSS. Authorities alleged that in 2022, the duo carried out several terrorist operations, including an attack on the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, which left many casualties.
They were also accused of orchestrating the July 2022 Kuje prison raid, which led to the escape of over 600 inmates. Court documents further alleged that both men received training in weapon handling and the making of improvised explosive devices, as well as tactical warfare training from a Mali-based terrorist group.
Other allegations include a planned strike on a uranium facility in Niger, multiple kidnappings such as the abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in 2013 and that of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, in 2019, alongside armed robbery operations.
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