Nigerian Counter-Terrorism Breakthrough
Nigerian security forces have announced a significant breakthrough in the country's fight against terrorism with the capture of two alleged leaders of the terrorist group, Ansaru. The individuals were captured during a "targeted operation" conducted between May and July, according to a statement from Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri. Ansaru, also known as Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, is a splinter group of Boko Haram that formed in 2012 and has been on Nigeria's and international most-wanted lists for years.
The arrests are considered a major success, given the group's history of high-profile attacks. Ansaru is accused of being responsible for several notable incidents, including the 2022 jailbreak in Abuja that resulted in the freeing of hundreds of inmates and a 2022 attack on a train traveling from Abuja to Kaduna.
