BREAKING: Security forces arrest most wanted Ansaru terrorist leader, Abu Baraa

Nigeria’s security forces have arrested the most wanted leader of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abu Baraa, who is accused of masterminding several high-profile attacks across the country.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, announced the arrest during a special press briefing at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja on Saturday.

Ribadu, flanked by service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies, disclosed that security operatives had been on Baraa’s trail since May before finally apprehending him in July.

He described the arrest as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, noting that Ansaru’s growing entrenchment in the country made the operation imperative.

He said, “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.”