Olajengbesi urges sustained onslaught after arrest of Ansaru, Mahmuda leaders

Pelumi Olajengbesi, Abuja-based lawyer, has commended Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), and the service chiefs for their role in the arrest of two wanted terrorist leaders linked to the Ansaru and Mahmuda groups.

In a statement on Monday, Olajengbesi, who is the managing partner of Law Corridor, said the breakthrough underscores the importance of collaboration among security agencies in the fight against insurgency.

“The recent arrest of wanted Ansaru terrorists and other insurgents shows that synergy among security agencies is the new success formula against terror forces,” he said.

“Indeed, a house not divided against itself stands. The era of security agencies working at cross purposes and not sharing intelligence should be over. NSA Nuhu Ribadu and the service chiefs deserve glowing commendation for the coordination of various troops of the Nigerian military, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy.”

He added that Nigerians acknowledge the recent progress made in counter-terrorism and expect sustained efforts to restore security across the country.

“Nigerians note the recent successes of the military in the anti-terror war and could only demand sustained onslaught against the bastards wreaking havoc in the North-East and threatening the territorial integrity of Nigeria,” Olajengbesi said.

The NSA had last week announced the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru sect, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, leader of the relatively new Mahmuda militant group. Both men, who Ribadu said were also wanted internationally, allegedly coordinated multiple attacks on civilians, security forces and critical infrastructure over the years.

“These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years. They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces and critical infrastructure,” Ribadu said at a news conference.

The NSA linked the terrorist leaders to the 2013 attack on the Niger uranium facility and the 2022 Kuje prison break that freed dozens of Boko Haram inmates.

In a related development, security sources confirmed that a son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf was recently arrested in Chad, where he was allegedly leading a terror cell.

The Defence Headquarters also disclosed that troops in recent weeks killed several terrorist commanders in the North-East, arrested about 2,000 suspects, and rescued more than 500 victims.