The Federal Government says improved intelligence sharing and coordination among Nigeria’s security agencies under President Bola Tinubu contributed to the capture of two senior Ansaru commanders, including the group’s leader and chief of staff, without a gun battle.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the statement on Thursday during a ministerial briefing on preparations for Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Idris identified the two men as Mamuda and his Chief of Staff, and said they are currently facing court proceedings over terrorism-related offences.
“During the time of Tinubu, we have seen greater coordination between security agencies and this has led to the capture of one of the world’s most wanted terrorist, the so-called Mamuda and his Chief of Staff. Today, Mamuda and his Chief of Staff are having their day in court.”
The minister said the operation demonstrated what he described as improved collaboration between the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies.
He added that the suspects were captured without a shot being fired.
“They were captured without one shot fired and this is an indication of the kind of coordination and collaboration happening between the Armed Forces and Intelligence agencies to greater efficiencies in terms of confronting this criminal element.”
The men referred to by the minister are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar, and Abubakar Abbas, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Mallam Mamuda.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified Usman as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, while Abbas has been described as his deputy and chief of staff. The two were arrested in separate intelligence-led operations between May and July 2025.
Their capture was previously described by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as a major counter-terrorism operation. According to information released after the arrests, the operation involved months of surveillance, human intelligence and technical tracking.
The two men later faced a 32-count terrorism charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja. In July 2026, they changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty, after which Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced both to life imprisonment on some counts, with additional prison terms on others.
The government subsequently filed fresh terrorism charges against the two men and three other convicted Ansaru members in connection with the May 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The five defendants pleaded not guilty to the fresh charges.
Idris used the security development to argue that Nigeria’s security situation has improved under the Tinubu administration, while acknowledging that the country’s security challenges have not been completely resolved.
“Does it mean that we have solved all the security challenges in this country, no but there is so much work in progress.”
He cited improved movement between Kaduna and Abuja as one example of what he described as progress in the country’s security situation.
The minister said the Federal Government had also approved additional funding for the acquisition of equipment and platforms for the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He further said the government had increased the welfare and salaries of military personnel, describing the measures as an important boost to the morale of troops.
The government’s assessment comes as security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping and banditry, remain active in several parts of Nigeria. Recent cases, including the Oriire school abduction, have continued to place pressure on security agencies despite counter-terrorism operations and the arrest of senior militant commanders.
Idris said the government would continue investing in security equipment, intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation as part of efforts to address the remaining threats.
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