The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a prominent leader of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, to 15 years in prison after finding him guilty of serious criminal offenses.
According to court records, Usman admitted to the illegal extraction of Californium minerals, with the proceeds reportedly used to procure weapons and ammunition. His guilty plea prompted the Federal Government to request the maximum penalty of life imprisonment and for him to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), citing 31 additional pending charges.
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During the hearing, Usman’s legal counsel appealed for leniency, noting that he had no previous criminal record. However, Justice Emeka Nwite handed down a 15-year prison term and ordered that Usman remain in DSS custody while awaiting trial for the other charges.
This landmark judgment reflects Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on terrorism, illegal mining, and the financing of armed groups.
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