Nigeria arrests leaders of "Ansaru Muslims in Sudan"

Arab Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Gulf - Reports: Nigerian officials announced yesterday, Saturday, the arrest of the two leaders of the "Ansaru" group, who orchestrated the escape of hundreds of detainees from a prison in the capital, Abuja, in 2022. Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu told reporters that Mahmoud Muhammad Othman and Mahmoud al-Nigeri were arrested during a "targeted operation... between May and July." The official added, "These two men have been on Nigeria's most wanted list for years," and were also on international wanted lists. He continued: They "jointly led multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and vital infrastructure." Bayo Onanuga, spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, considered the arrest of the wanted men in a post on social media as an "important breakthrough in the war against terrorism." The group is also accused of bombing a railway line and raiding a train heading from Abuja to the city of Kaduna in the northwest of the country in 2022. Eight people were killed in the operation and dozens were kidnapped, who remained in detention for several months. In July 2022, militants used weapons and explosives to storm a prison on the outskirts of Abuja, leading to the escape of hundreds of prisoners. The "Ansaru" group claimed responsibility for the attack.