The trial of two alleged leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, has been adjourned to January 15, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants, captured by the Department of State Services (DSS) between May and July 2025, face a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping, and illegal mining.
Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, pleaded guilty to one count of economic crime related to illegal mining and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on September 11.
However, he denied the remaining 31 counts, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The DSS alleges the duo received training in weapon handling and fabricated improvised explosive devices, bombed Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, and kidnapped security officers, including a Customs officer and an Immigration officer who was later killed. They also allegedly collected millions of naira in ransoms from families of victims.
The prosecution claims the defendants used proceeds from illegal mining and kidnapping to procure arms and ammunition.
The trial was initially scheduled to begin on November 19 but was delayed to allow the defense counsel to study the charges and proof of evidence.
