The Department of State Services, DSS, has filed multiple charges against two commanders of the Ansaru terrorist rorist group, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda, who were captured by Nigerian security forces last month.
The Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, popularly called Ansaru, is the arm of al-Qa‘ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb in Nigeria that aspires to expel secular and foreign influences from Nigeria and possibly Benin to establish a Salafi-Islamist State.
Originally intended to act as a specialized kidnap-for-ransom wing of Boko Haram, Ansaru split off in January 2012 to align with al-Qa‘ida, largely in protest of Boko Haram’s use of indiscriminate attacks against Muslim civilians.
Also Read: Judge slams counsel to Al-Barnawi for absence in court
On Friday, a security source confirmed that the terror suspects, who were recently apprehended in a covert operation, are facing terrorism-related charges under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.
The sources explained that the charges border on leadership of terrorist organisation, financing of terrorism, recruitment, and coordinating violent attacks in Nigeria.
The DSS has expedited investigations to ensure speedy prosecution in line with the directive of its Director-General, who emphasised professionalism, justice, and the protection of human rights in handling terrorism cases, said a reliable source.
There are also indications that hearing before the Federal High Court, Abuja, will begin soon.
