Nigeria’s long and often brutal fight against insurgency took a dramatic turn this week as authorities announced the capture of two of the nation’s most wanted militant leaders. In a carefully coordinated operation spanning from May to July 2025, security forces apprehended Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri, alleged masterminds behind a string of high-profile terrorist attacks and kidnappings that have plagued the country for years. The announcement, made on August 16 by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, signals what officials are calling a decisive blow against Ansaru, an al-Qaida-linked jihadist group, and the relatively new but increasingly notorious Mahmuda group.
According to the Associated Press, both Usman and al-Nigeri had managed to elude capture for years, earning top spots on both Nigeria’s and international most-wanted lists. The two men, authorities say, spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure, leaving a trail of chaos and fear in their wake. Their arrest, Ribadu told journalists, is “the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception. This strike has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group.”
Ansaru, whose full name is Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, first emerged as a splinter group from Boko Haram in 2012. The split was, at least initially, ideological: many Ansaru members, some of whom had Western education, rejected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s extreme tactics. But as years passed, Ansaru adopted the same violent methods it once denounced. The group quickly established ties with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and its activities soon drew the attention of global counterterrorism agencies. In 2013, the United States designated Ansaru, along with Boko Haram, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
The Mahmuda group, on the other hand, is a newer player in Nigeria’s complex security landscape. It burst onto the national scene earlier in 2025 after a series of attacks in the north-central region, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation. The group’s leader, Mahmud al-Nigeri, is now in custody alongside Usman, marking what officials hope is a turning point in their efforts to curb insurgent violence.
Among the most notorious crimes attributed to Usman and al-Nigeri is the brazen July 2022 attack on the Kuje medium-security prison near Abuja, the nation’s capital. In a raid that shocked the country, jihadists armed with guns and explosives blasted their way into the facility, freeing hundreds of inmates—including dozens of jailed Boko Haram members. Ansaru later claimed responsibility for the jailbreak, which took place just 40 kilometers from the Aso Rock presidential villa. Although most of the escapees were eventually recaptured, the incident underscored the reach and audacity of Nigeria’s insurgent groups.
The two men are also linked to an attack on the Niger uranium facility in 2013, as well as a deadly 2012 raid on a police station in the capital that left several officers dead and detainees freed. According to Ribadu, the pair masterminded numerous high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies, funneling the proceeds into their terrorist operations. "They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces and critical infrastructure," Ribadu said at a news conference, as reported by International Business Times. "These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years."
Oluwole Ojewale, a security analyst based in Dakar with the Institute of Security Studies, told the Associated Press that the arrests represent a significant test for the resilience of Ansaru and its ability to regroup or mount retaliatory attacks. "The impacts of this arrest on the terrorist groups depend on what the Nigerian state security does with the intelligence at their disposal," Ojewale noted. Authorities have already begun forensic analysis of digital evidence recovered during the operation, which they hope will lead to further arrests and the disruption of remaining militant networks.
Nigeria’s security challenges are nothing if not complex. The northern region, in particular, is home to a tangled web of armed groups. On one side are religiously motivated organizations like Boko Haram—now in its sixteenth year of insurgency—and its splinter factions, including Ansaru and the Islamic State West Africa Province. On the other are so-called “bandit” groups, which specialize in kidnappings for ransom and looting, often blurring the lines between ideological and purely criminal motives. Sometimes, these groups even collaborate or overlap, making the job of security forces all the more daunting.
Despite repeated military offensives and international support, including intelligence sharing and equipment, these groups have continued to expand their operations. In fact, 2025 has seen a major resurgence of Boko Haram, further complicating the government’s efforts to restore order. The situation has become so dire that, just days before the arrests were announced, the U.S. government approved the sale of $346 million in arms to Nigeria. The move, according to the Associated Press, is aimed at bolstering the country’s fight against insurgency and criminal groups.
The arrest of Usman and al-Nigeri is being hailed in official circles as a major breakthrough. Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, did not mince words about the significance of the operation: "The successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception." He added that the strike had "effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group." For a nation weary of violence and eager for progress, these words offer a rare glimmer of hope.
Yet, as history has shown, the fight is far from over. Ansaru and groups like it have deep roots and maintain "active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso," according to Ribadu. The challenge now is to leverage the intelligence gained from these arrests to prevent future attacks and dismantle the broader networks that enable such violence.
As Nigeria grapples with the aftermath of these arrests, citizens and officials alike are watching closely to see whether this moment will mark the beginning of a new, more secure chapter—or simply another twist in the country’s ongoing struggle with extremism. For now, though, the capture of Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri stands as a testament to the persistence of those determined to bring peace to a troubled land.