Trump’s Threat: DSS Pushes Prosecution of Top Terror Suspects as Yelwata, Owo Massacres Trials Open in Abuja

Pat Stevens/

The trial of two high-profile terrorism suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (aka Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri), will continue on November 19 before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, even as the Department of State Services (DSS) moves to prosecute those accused of carrying out the Yelwata massacre in Benue State.

The simultaneous prosecutions highlight Nigeria’s escalating campaign against terrorism amid renewed global scrutiny of the country’s handling of religiously targeted violence, following recent statements by Donald Trump accusing Nigeria of Christian persecution and warning of possible U.S. military intervention.

According to the DSS statement signed by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, on Tuesday, Usman and Abba, both allegedly senior figures in the Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), were captured in a July intelligence-led operation after months of pursuit.

Usman, described as the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, is accused of coordinating terrorist sleeper cells and orchestrating kidnappings and robberies to fund extremist activities. Abba, his chief of staff, allegedly led the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park on the borders of Niger State, Kwara, and the Republic of Benin.

The pair are facing a 32-count terrorism charge filed in August. Usman has pleaded guilty to illegal mining and was sentenced to 15 years, while Abba denied all charges.

The DSS also linked both men to cross-border terrorist financing networks and jihadist training routes through Libya and Algeria.

While those cases proceed, the DSS has also charged nine suspects over the Yelwata massacre in Benue State on June 13, 2025, when armed men stormed villages in Guma Local Government Area, killing dozens and injuring 107 people.

The attack provoked global condemnation and a personal condolence visit from President Bola Tinubu, who vowed that the killers would be brought to justice.

On June 24, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced the arrest of 26 suspects. In August, the DSS filed six terrorism-related cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The agency charged Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina for their roles in the assaults on Abinsi and Yelwata villages. Two others, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, are still at large.

The DSS also charged Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both from Guma Local Government Area, with mounting reprisal attacks. Their trial, which opened in September, continues before Justice Nwite.

In the same statement, Dozie detailed other terrorism prosecutions currently before Nigerian courts. These include the trial of Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the 2011 UN headquarters bombing in Abuja; and the case against five men accused of the 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which over 40 worshippers were killed.

DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, said the prosecutions underscore Nigeria’s resolve to dismantle extremist networks through lawful means.

“The various arrests and trials of terrorism suspects show that Nigeria’s security agencies have been diligent in dealing with the perpetrators of terror in the country,” he said. “We shall continue to make the suspects accountable for disrupting the peace of our country, in consonance with the rule of law.”

Security analysts say the DSS update serves a dual purpose: to demonstrate progress in counter-terrorism operations and to reassure international partners that Nigeria is confronting extremist violence, particularly after Trump’s declaration that Nigeria has failed to protect its Christian population.