Lawyer seeks sustained onslaught against terrorists after arrest of Ansaru leaders

Pelumi Olajengbesi, a legal practitioner, has commended Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), and the service chiefs over the arrest of two wanted Ansaru leaders.

In a statement on Tuesday, Olajengbesi said the breakthrough reflects the “benefits of intelligence-sharing and coordination among security agencies”.

He noted that Nigerians recognise the recent military gains and want sustained action against insurgents threatening the north-east and the nation’s security.

“The recent arrest of wanted Ansaru terrorists and other insurgents shows that synergy among security agencies is the new success formula against terror forces,” Olajengbesi said.

“Indeed, a house not divided against itself stands. The era of security agencies working at cross purposes and not sharing intelligence should be over.”

On Saturday, Ribadu announced the arrest of Mahmud Usman, leader of Ansaru, an al-Qaeda-linked group; and Mahmud al-Nigeri, head of a new militant faction called Mahmuda.

Both men have been on Nigeria’s most wanted list and are also wanted internationally.

According to the NSA, the duo coordinated attacks, including the 2013 raid on a uranium facility in Niger, and the 2022 Kuje prison break which freed dozens of Boko Haram inmates.

The arrests come amid a string of recent gains announced by the defence headquarters, including the killing of several terrorist kingpins, the arrest of about 2,000 suspects, and the rescue of more than 500 victims.

In a related development, the son of Boko Haram’s late founder was reportedly arrested in Chad, where he was said to be leading a jihadist cell.

The federal government recently arraigned five suspects linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state, which killed over 40 worshippers.