“Life Sentences Are Too Lenient” — SSS To Appeal Ansaru Commanders’ Sentences, Seeks Death Penalty

The Department of State Services has announced plans to appeal the life sentences imposed on two senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist organisation, maintaining that the punishment does not adequately reflect the gravity of the offences for which they were convicted.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, sentenced Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar, and Abubakar Abba, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Malam Mamuda, to life imprisonment on Monday after they pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges.

Usman was described by the prosecution as the self-styled emir of Ansaru, while Abba was identified as his deputy and chief of staff.

A senior DSS official told journalists that the service would challenge the sentences and seek the maximum punishment available under the law, arguing that life imprisonment was insufficient considering the offences admitted by the convicts.

The official linked the decision to appeal with the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, alleging that the kidnappers demanded the unconditional release of Usman and Abba as one of the principal conditions for freeing the victims.

According to the DSS, the victims remained in captivity for nearly 60 days, during which the two commanders allegedly changed their approach to the criminal proceedings against them.

The official said the defendants had initially pleaded not guilty and later told the court that they were undecided about changing their pleas.

Justice Nwite subsequently directed them to decide whether to maintain their not-guilty pleas or admit the charges before the July 20 sitting.

The DSS official said the two men returned to court after the Oriire victims were rescued and pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

The security agency further alleged that two teachers were beheaded by the abductors to pressure the Federal Government into releasing the Ansaru commanders.

“Allowing the two terror commanders walk away with life sentences will not serve the cause of justice for the two Oriire teachers beheaded by their abductors,” the official said.

“The reason the terrorists beheaded the two Oriire teachers was to put pressure on government to release these two Ansaru commanders.

“It, therefore, wouldn’t be fair to see two men beheaded and their families are made to live with the losses without adequately bringing the culprits to book.”

Usman and Abba were prosecuted on a 32-count charge involving terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, fabrication of improvised explosive devices and other related offences.

Usman and Abba were prosecuted on a 32-count charge involving terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, fabrication of improvised explosive devices and other related offences.

The prosecution also accused them of coordinating sleeper cells, planning attacks and maintaining relationships with terrorist organisations operating across the Sahel and Maghreb regions.

They were arrested in separate DSS operations conducted between May and July 2025.

At their initial arraignment, Usman pleaded guilty to one count relating to illegal mining allegedly used to finance terrorism and procure weapons. He was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on that count.

He pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts, while Abba initially denied all the charges.

On July 9, Abba informed the court that he was considering withdrawing his not-guilty plea but requested additional time to consult his lawyer. Justice Nwite granted the request and adjourned the case until July 20.