The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple charges against two arrested commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda.
The Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, popularly called Ansaru, is the arm of al-Qa‘ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Nigeria that aspires to expel secular and foreign influences from Nigeria and possibly Benin to establish a Salafi-Islamist State. Originally intended to act as a specialized kidnap-for-ransom wing of Boko Haram, Ansaru split off in January 2012 to align with al-Qa‘ida, largely in protest of Boko Haram’s use of indiscriminate attacks against Muslim civilians.
On Friday, a security source confirmed that the terror suspects, who were recently apprehended in a covert operation, are facing terrorism-related charges under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.
The sources explained that the charges border on leadership of terrorist organisation, financing of terrorism, recruitment, and coordinating violent attacks in Nigeria.
According to the sources, the DSS has expedited investigations to ensure speedy prosecution in line with the directive of its Director-General, who emphasised professionalism, justice, and the protection of human rights in handling terrorism cases.
He added that the arraignment of the suspects before the Federal High Court, Abuja, is expected in the coming days.
