A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the banned Ansaru sect, to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of engaging in illegal mining and using the proceeds to purchase arms for terrorism and kidnapping activities.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that Usman remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending trial on 31 additional terrorism-related charges.

Usman, who called himself the “Emir of Ansaru,” was arraigned alongside his deputy and chief of staff, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda.

Both men face a 32-count charge including leading a terrorist organization, financing terrorism, recruiting fighters, and coordinating violent attacks across Nigeria.

Ansaru militants were linked to the July 2022 attack on Kuje prison in Abuja, which saw over 600 inmates escape, including 64 Boko Haram suspects.