Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Abuja, Nigeria — An operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday that two suspected senior commanders of the extremist group Ansaru received specialised weapons and tactical training in Libya before returning to Nigeria to allegedly engage in terrorist activities. The testimony underscores the international dimension prosecutors are attributing to the terror charges against the defendants and has drawn heightened attention to regional militant training networks.
During proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite, the DSS witness, identified only by initials for security reasons, presented what the prosecution describes as critical evidence linking the two suspects with foreign training camps. According to the operative’s testimony, the defendants, charged with terrorism-related offences, travelled to Libya where they underwent structured training on the use of firearms, handling of explosives, and other aspects of militant operations under guidance from foreign instructors. The operative said this training was deliberate and organised, not incidental, and formed part of the prosecution’s case that the suspects were capable of coordinating and directing violent activities.
The suspects, named in court records as Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba, are accused of holding leadership roles within Ansaru, an offshoot of the Boko Haram insurgency known for kidnappings, attacks on security installations, and other violent acts across parts of northern and central Nigeria. Prosecutors allege that by virtue of their alleged training in Libya, the men became adept in combat tactics and weapon handling, which posed a serious threat to national security when deployed domestically.
According to the DSS testimony, Libya’s prolonged instability in the aftermath of its civil conflict created an environment where militant groups and foreign fighters operated with relative freedom, establishing training camps that offered instruction in weapons and explosives. The prosecution’s argument is that these camps became accessible to Nigerian suspects who were then able to enhance their operational capabilities abroad before returning home.
The court also heard that this connection to Libya is part of broader intelligence indicating that extremist elements operate across borders, exploiting regional instability to strengthen their ranks. Counsel for the prosecution said the defendants’ exposure to advanced militant training explained their familiarity with automatic weapons and complex explosive devices, skills that distinguish ordinary criminal behaviour from organised terrorism.
The current trial encompasses multiple counts, including terrorism, conspiracy, attacks against government and security targets, and alleged financing of extremist activities. Earlier in the case, Usman pleaded guilty to unrelated illegal mining offences and received a fifteen-year prison sentence for that charge, which prosecutors described as part of a pattern of activities used to fund extremist operations. Abba has maintained his innocence and continues to plead not guilty to the terrorism charges against him.
Security experts observing the trial have highlighted the significance of the testimony, noting that the alleged Libyan link illustrates how extremist groups in West Africa increasingly utilise international training networks. They argue that militants who receive tactical and weapons instruction abroad often return with enhanced capabilities that can make them more lethal and resilient against security forces.
The unfolding case has also drawn attention to the broader context of terrorism and militancy in the Sahel and West Africa, where porous borders and fragmented governance have enabled extremist groups to collaborate and seek training in multiple countries. Intelligence cooperation among regional partners has been emphasised by security officials as a critical tool in tracking and disrupting these transnational linkages.
Civil society organisations and human rights advocates in Nigeria have stressed the importance of ensuring that the trial proceeds transparently and in full accordance with legal protections, arguing that while prosecuting terrorism is vital, due process must be upheld to maintain public confidence in the rule of law. Families of victims of past attacks attributed to Ansaru have been present in court proceedings, welcoming the prosecution’s efforts and urging that justice be served through the legal process.
Defence lawyers for the suspects have challenged aspects of the DSS evidence, raising questions about how confessions were obtained and seeking to test the admissibility and credibility of intelligence-based testimony. They have argued that security agency testimonies must be corroborated by tangible evidence and that defendants’ constitutional rights be protected throughout the trial.
As the proceedings continue, the Federal High Court is expected to hear further evidence from additional intelligence officials, forensic experts, and possibly regional security partners. The trial, which is likely to extend over several months given the complexity of the charges, is seen as a key legal battle in Nigeria’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The testimony linking the alleged commanders to weapons training in Libya remains central to the prosecution’s narrative, as it seeks to demonstrate that the defendants were not merely involved in localised criminality but were part of a broader militant strategy involving international training and coordination. The outcome of this trial may have far-reaching implications for how Nigeria addresses transnational terrorism and collaborates with regional and international security partners to prevent the spread of extremist capabilities.
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