Abuja Court Sentences Ansaru Commander to 15 Years for Illegal Mining, Arms Procurement

Abuja, September 11, 2025 – A Federal High Court in Abuja today sentenced Mahmud Usman, one of two recently captured top commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, to 15 years imprisonment. Usman pleaded guilty to charges of illegally mining "California stones" without lawful authority, using the proceeds to purchase arms and ammunition for terrorist activities.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Usman on 32 counts, including accusations of terrorist attacks, kidnapping, and armed robbery. The federal government, citing the gravity of his crimes and 31 pending charges, had sought a life sentence. However, Usman's lawyer argued for leniency, highlighting the defendant's lack of prior convictions.

Justice Emeka Nwite, after considering both arguments, imposed the 15-year sentence. Usman will remain in DSS custody until his trial on the remaining charges, which is scheduled to resume on October 21.