Nigeria’s security forces have arrested most wanted Ansaru terrorist group leader, Abu Baraa who masterminded several high-profile attacks in the country.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, announced this at a special press briefing held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Abuja.
Ribadu, in accompany with all the service chiefs and other heads of intelligence agencies, revealed that all the security forces have been trailing Baraa since May, before he was nabbed in July.
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He said his trail became imperative because the group had become entrenched in the country that they were all out to bring down it with their nefarious activities.
“I am glad to inform you that we have successfully concluded a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation which led to the capture of the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.
“The group was first formed in January 2012 with a public declaration in Kano. It emerged as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, positioning itself as a ‘humane alternative.’
“However, its stated aim quickly turned to attacking Nigerian security operatives, civilian communities and government infrastructure.
“The group publicly displayed the setting sun logo of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), signaling its ideological and operational alignment with global jihadist movements.
“Over the years, Ansaru entrenched itself in both urban sleeper cells and forest enclaves, across several cities in northern Nigeria and in forest based enclaves, particularly around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara states as well as Benin Republic.”
Baraa’s arrest marked a major breakthrough nine years after the military captured Ansaru terrorist group leader, Khalid al-Barnawi, in 2016.
Barnawi was one of three Nigerians listed by Washington in 2012 as “specially designated global terrorists”.
Barnawi was one of three Nigerians listed by the United States Department of State in June 2012 as “specially designated global terrorists”. Barnawi was named alongside the late Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and Ansaru founder Abubakar Adam Kambar.
Al-Barnawi assumed the leadership of Ansaru following the death of Kambar in a military raid on his hideout in Kano in March 2012.
Daily Trust cannot verify whether Baraa had succeeded Al-Barnawi as the leader of the group.