BREAKING: We’ve captured Nigeria’s most wanted terror kingpin -Ribadu

Security forces have captured Abu Baraa, the notorious leader of the Ansaru terrorist network, after an intensive operation that spanned several months.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu disclosed the development during a special briefing at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja.

Ribadu, who was flanked by service chiefs and intelligence heads, said the operation followed a prolonged surveillance effort that began in May and culminated in Baraa’s capture in July.

“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,” Ribadu said.

He explained that Ansaru, which declared its presence publicly in Kano in 2012 after splintering from Boko Haram, originally presented itself as a “humane alternative” before turning to attacks on security operatives, civilians, and government facilities.

“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,” Ribadu added.

According to him, Ansaru had entrenched itself in both urban hideouts and forest camps, particularly around Kainji National Park, which spans Niger and Kwara states and extends into Benin Republic.