Nigerian officials said Saturday they had arrested the alleged leaders of a jihadist group behind a 2022 jailbreak in the capital Abuja that temporarily freed hundreds of inmates.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, told journalists that Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri had been captured during a “targeted operation… between May and July.”
He said they were the leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan — commonly known as Ansaru.
“These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years” and were also on international wanted lists, said Ribadu.
“They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure,” he added.
In July 2022, armed jihadists used guns and explosives to blast their way into a prison on the outskirts of Abuja, freeing dozens of inmates. Ansaru subsequently claimed responsibility.
Ribadu said Usman and al-Nigeri had been also involved in several high-profile kidnappings in the regions.
