The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced significant progress in the ongoing prosecution of several high-profile terrorism cases across the country, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to bringing perpetrators of terror to justice.
In a statement signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS revealed that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, will on November 19 continue the trial of two internationally wanted terror suspects — Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (aka Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri).
The duo, said to be leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), a Nigerian affiliate of Al-Qaeda, were captured in July during a high-risk counter-terrorism operation following months of surveillance.
Usman, described as the “Emir of ANSARU,” allegedly coordinated terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and robberies used to fund terrorism. His deputy, Abba, reportedly led the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park, bordering Niger and Kwara States, and parts of the Republic of Benin.
According to the DSS, intelligence from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) indicates that Usman received training between 2013 and 2015 in Libya, under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in weapons handling and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Both men face a 32-count terrorism charge, with Usman already sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to a count of illegal mining. Abba, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
UN Bombing Suspect’s Trial Resumes
The DSS also confirmed progress in the long-delayed trial of Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the 2011 United Nations Complex bombing in Abuja, which killed 20 people and injured over 70.
Al-Barnawi and four others — Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (aka Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi) — are being prosecuted by the DSS. Justice Nwite recently granted a request for accelerated hearing in the case, which had been stalled due to legal and procedural setbacks.
A trial-within-trial held on October 23 and 24 featured the courtroom playback of the defendants’ video confessions.
Owo Church Attack: Five Defendants in Court
In another case, the DSS arraigned five men over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed and over 100 injured.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are facing a nine-count terrorism charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025). They are accused of being members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, with cells in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite denied their bail application on September 10, ruling that the charges were capital in nature and the prosecution’s evidence was “strong and credible.”
Yelwata Massacre Suspects Face Trial
The DSS further disclosed that trials are ongoing for suspects linked to the June 13, 2025 Yelwata massacre in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, which left dozens dead and over 100 injured.
President Bola Tinubu had visited the state following the attack, ordering the arrest of those responsible. Subsequent police operations led to the arrest of 26 suspects, with nine later charged by the DSS on terrorism-related counts before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Among those charged are Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba, and Pyeure Damina. Two others, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, remain at large.
Additionally, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, also from Guma, are being tried separately for launching a reprisal attack following the Yelwata killings.
DSS Reaffirms Commitment to Justice
Speaking on behalf of the Service, Director General Tosin Ajayi stated that the DSS remains steadfast in ensuring that all terrorism suspects face justice.
“The various arrests and trials of terrorism suspects show that Nigeria’s security agencies have been diligent in dealing with the perpetrators of terror in the country,” Ajayi said. “We shall continue to make the suspects accountable for disrupting the peace of our country, in consonance with the rule of law.”
He added that the ongoing prosecutions are separate from those under the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, noting that over 125 terrorists were convicted last year.
