- Mahmud Usman jailed for funding terrorism with illegal mining proceeds
- Pleads guilty to arming terror group involved in Kuje jailbreak
- Faces 31 more charges including terrorism financing and recruitment
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, to 15 years in prison for financing terrorism and supplying arms used in the 2022 Kuje prison break.
According to Eko Hot Blog, Usman, a senior commander of the terror group Ansaru, admitted to using funds from illegal mining activities to finance extremist operations across northern Nigeria. He also confessed to procuring arms for terrorist use, leading to his conviction on multiple terrorism-related charges.
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Presiding over the case, Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the 15-year sentence after Usman pleaded guilty to key charges. The court noted that his actions directly contributed to the operations of Ansaru, a known offshoot of Boko Haram.
Usman, who is currently being held by the Department of State Services (DSS), was charged alongside his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda. Both are accused of leading violent extremist activities, recruiting fighters, and planning high-profile attacks, including the Kuje prison break.
The July 2022 attack on Kuje correctional facility resulted in the escape of over 600 inmates, among them 64 Boko Haram suspects. Investigators linked Usman’s financial and logistical support to the success of the jailbreak, marking him as a central figure in its execution.
By pleading guilty, Usman acknowledged using proceeds from unlicensed mineral extraction to support terrorism. The funds were reportedly funneled into weapons purchases, recruitment efforts, and regional logistics for Ansaru operations.
The court announced that Usman still faces 31 outstanding charges related to terrorism financing, recruitment, and armed insurgency. He will remain in DSS custody while the prosecution pursues further trials.
Security officials view the conviction as a critical breakthrough in the crackdown on the financial infrastructure behind insurgent groups. Prosecutors also hinted at more upcoming trials targeting individuals and networks involved in resource-based terror financing.
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