The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued an update on ongoing terrorism prosecutions across the country, confirming that the trial of two alleged Ansaru leaders has been adjourned to November 19.
The suspects — Mahmud Muhammad Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (also called Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri) — were arrested in July 2025 after months of surveillance. The DSS describes them as key figures in Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), an Al-Qaeda-linked group in Nigeria.
Usman, referred to as the group’s “emir,” is accused of coordinating sleeper cells and overseeing kidnappings and robberies used to finance terrorism. His deputy, Abba, allegedly led a cell operating around Kainji National Park along the Niger-Kwara-Benin border.
Both men are facing 32 terrorism-related charges. Usman has already been sentenced to 15 years for illegal mining after pleading guilty to that count, while Abba has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their next court appearance is before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The DSS also confirmed progress in other terror-related prosecutions, including the trial of Khalid Al-Barnawi, the alleged mastermind of the 2011 UN building bombing in Abuja, where 20 people died and over 70 were injured. After several delays, the court granted a request for accelerated hearing.
In a separate case, five suspects have been arraigned over the June 2022 Owo Church attack, which killed over 40 worshippers. The court denied them bail, citing the severity of the allegations and risk of escape.
The agency also announced ongoing trials linked to the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State, in which dozens were killed and more than 100 injured. Nine suspects are currently in court, while two others remain at large.
DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi said the cases show the commitment of security agencies to bringing terror suspects to justice, adding that convictions are being secured in line with the rule of law.
