The Department of State Services (DSS) says significant progress is being made in the prosecution of several high-profile terrorism suspects currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Service revealed that the trial will continue on November 19 for two internationally wanted terror suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (also known as Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri). The duo, believed to be top leaders of ANSARU, the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, were apprehended in July during a high-risk intelligence-led operation.
Usman, described as the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, is accused of coordinating terrorist sleeper cells and masterminding numerous high-profile kidnappings and robberies used to finance terrorism. His deputy, Abba, allegedly led the “Mahmudawa” cell, which operated along the Kainji National Park axis, bordering Niger and Kwara states, up to the Republic of Benin.
The Office of the National Security Adviser earlier disclosed that Usman received foreign jihadist training in Libya between 2013 and 2015, specialising in weapons handling and IED fabrication.
Both men are facing a 32-count terrorism charge, including one count related to illegal mining. Usman has already pleaded guilty to that charge and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The DSS is also prosecuting Khalid Al-Barnawi, the alleged mastermind of the 2011 bombing of the UN Complex in Abuja that killed 20 and injured over 70. He is being tried with four others — Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (Bello Maishayi).
Legal delays, including the suspects occasionally appearing without defence counsel, slowed the trial for years. However, Justice Emeka Nwite has now granted the DSS request for an accelerated hearing. A trial-within-trial held on October 23 and 24 included the playback of confessional videos in court.
The DSS further confirmed the ongoing prosecution of five suspects linked to the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where over 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured.
The defendants Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are charged on nine counts of terrorism, including alleged membership of an Al-Shabab-linked cell operating in Kogi State. They pleaded not guilty and remain in DSS custody after Justice Nwite declined their bail application, citing the severity of the charges and the risk of absconding.
Also ongoing are trials involving suspects arrested over the June 13, 2025, Yelwata massacre in Benue State, which left dozens dead and 107 injured, prompting a presidential visit and widespread condemnation.
The DSS filed multiple terrorism charges in August against nine of the 26 suspects arrested by the Police. Two-count and three-count charges were also filed against additional suspects, including those allegedly involved in reprisals carried out by others.
