…Northern CAN Praises Ribadu, Calls for Sustained Action Against Terror
By John Paul
The United States government has hailed Nigeria’s arrest of two top Ansaru terrorist leaders as a major breakthrough in the country’s war against violent extremism, describing the development as a significant victory for counter-terrorism efforts.
In a statement posted on X yesterday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria commended the Nigerian government and security forces for what it called a decisive strike against terrorism.
“We commend the Nigerian Government and security forces on the successful arrest of wanted #Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda). This is a significant step forward in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and extremism,” the mission wrote.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had on August 16 confirmed the arrest of the duo, who were captured after months of intelligence-led operations between May and July. According to Ribadu, Abu Bara’a, the self-proclaimed Emir of Ansaru, coordinated sleeper terror cells nationwide, masterminded kidnappings and robberies, and was linked to the 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja. Both men were also implicated in the 2013 attack on a uranium facility in Niger Republic, as well as the kidnapping of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina State, among other high-profile crimes.
Ribadu said the arrests marked “a new phase of intelligence-driven security operations,” noting that security agencies were intensifying efforts to dismantle the networks and sponsors behind terrorist organisations.
The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also joined in praising the breakthrough, commending Ribadu for his leadership and professionalism in steering the operations. Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN, described the arrests as “a turning point in Nigeria’s anti-terror war,” urging security agencies to sustain intelligence-led tactics and to ensure that terror financiers are unmasked.
“We do not want to be people who only grumble and accuse. When we see what is right, we must acknowledge it. Ribadu deserves enormous credit for the deliberate, intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of some of Nigeria’s most wanted terrorists,” Hayab said in Kaduna yesterday.
Beyond security, Hayab also lauded Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for pursuing inclusive governance and rolling out infrastructure projects, stressing that fairness and equity were key to sustainable development in the region.
He called for unity across religious and ethnic divides, noting that positive recognition of leaders’ actions encourages more results. “Constructive engagement is the way forward. Inclusiveness and justice are essential to lasting peace,” he added.
The arrests of Abu Bara’a and Mallam Mamuda are being hailed both locally and internationally as one of Nigeria’s biggest counter-terrorism successes in recent years, with the U.S. describing it as a “major step forward” and Nigerian defence officials pledging to intensify the campaign against violent extremism.