A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted and sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of Ansaru, the proscribed terrorist organisation, to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Usman, arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS), pleaded guilty to charges of illegal mining. The unlawful activity was said to have enabled him to acquire arms for terrorism and kidnapping operations.

Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered that the defendant remain in DSS custody pending his trial on 31 other charges filed against him.

In a 32-count charge before the Federal High Court, Usman and one Abubakar Abba were accused of committing acts of terrorism in 2022, including an attack on Wawa Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Kainji, New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The attack resulted in mass casualties.

The duo were also alleged to have received training in weapons handling, the fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and war tactics from terrorist camps, including one in Mali.

The DSS further accuses the commanders of masterminding the July 2022 attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, which freed more than 600 inmates. They are also linked to an attempted attack on a uranium facility in Niger Republic, several kidnappings—including the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp—and the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, as well as multiple armed robberies.

Following Thursday’s sentencing, Justice Nwite fixed 21 October for continuation of trial on the remaining charges.