The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday filed terrorism charges against two top commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda, who were captured in a recent security operation.

Ansaru, formally known as Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, is the Nigerian arm of al-Qa‘ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The group, which broke away from Boko Haram in 2012, is notorious for kidnappings and targeted attacks. 

Unlike Boko Haram, which often carried out indiscriminate assaults on civilians, Ansaru has styled itself as a Salafi-Islamist group seeking to drive out secular and foreign influences and carve out a hardline Islamist state spanning Nigeria and parts of Benin.

Security sources confirmed on Friday that Abu Baraa and Mahmuda, arrested last month during a covert operation, are now facing multiple charges under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.

The charges, according to the sources, include leadership of a terrorist organisation, terrorism financing, recruitment of fighters, and coordinating violent attacks across the country.

The DSS is said to have fast-tracked its investigations to ensure the suspects are prosecuted without delay. 

The agency’s Director-General has reportedly insisted that the case be handled with professionalism, fairness, and strict adherence to human rights standards.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the coming days.