Court sentences Ansaru leaders to life imprisonment over terrorism, kidnapping

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced two senior leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist organisation, to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining and the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Monday, convicting Abubakar Abba, also known as Abu Bara, and Mahmud Usman, also known as Isah Adam, Abbas, Mukhtar or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, after both defendants voluntarily changed their earlier not-guilty pleas and admitted all the charges brought against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court sentenced the convicts to life imprisonment on Counts 30 and 31, while imposing 20-year prison terms on each of the remaining counts. Justice Nwite further ordered that the prison terms on the other counts should take effect from the date of their arrest.

The conviction followed months of trial after the defendants initially denied the allegations when they were first arraigned before the court in September 2025. However, during Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel informed the court that the defendants had decided to abandon their previous pleas and admit responsibility for all the offences.

After confirming that the guilty pleas were made voluntarily and in accordance with the law, the court convicted both men on all 32 counts before proceeding to sentence them.

The DSS had accused the defendants of occupying senior leadership positions within Ansaru, a terrorist organisation affiliated with Al-Qaeda and linked to several attacks, kidnappings and terrorist operations across northern Nigeria and parts of the Sahel.

According to the prosecution, Mahmud Usman served as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, while Abubakar Abba was identified as the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff.

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The charges included terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), funding terrorist operations, coordinating sleeper cells and maintaining operational links with extremist groups across the Sahel and Maghreb regions.

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence through a DSS operative identified only by the codename “Triple A.” The witness testified that both defendants confessed to receiving advanced weapons and explosives training in Libya from instructors connected to extremist networks operating in Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

The witness further told the court that the defendants admitted membership of the Ansaru group and confessed to participating in kidnapping operations, illegal mining used to finance terrorist activities and the coordination of terrorist cells operating within and outside Nigeria.

Court records also showed that Mahmud Usman had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of illegal mining allegedly used to finance terrorism and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on that count before the trial continued on the remaining charges.

The two convicts were arrested during separate intelligence-led operations conducted between May and July 2025, an exercise that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had described as one of Nigeria’s most significant breakthroughs against the Ansaru terrorist network.

Announcing the arrests in 2025, Ribadu said the operations disrupted key leadership figures within the group and reflected improved collaboration among Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies in combating terrorism.

Security experts say Monday’s judgment represents another major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to dismantle terrorist leadership structures through intelligence-driven investigations and successful prosecutions.

The conviction also reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to pursuing individuals involved not only in violent extremist activities but also in terrorism financing, illegal mining and other criminal enterprises used to sustain insurgent groups.

Ansaru, formally known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, emerged as a splinter faction of Boko Haram and has maintained ideological and operational links with Al-Qaeda. The group has been blamed for numerous attacks on security personnel, kidnappings for ransom and assaults on civilian communities in northern Nigeria over the past decade.

The Federal Government has intensified military operations, intelligence gathering and criminal prosecutions against Ansaru, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as part of broader efforts to restore peace and dismantle terrorist networks across the North-East and North-West.

The latest judgment is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign by demonstrating that individuals involved in terrorism-related offences will face the full weight of the law.

Court sentences Ansaru leaders to life imprisonment over terrorism, kidnapping

Oyo High Court affirms Muslim students’ right to wear hijab in public schools

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has affirmed the constitutional right of female Muslim students to wear the Islamic hijab in all government-owned public schools across the state, including institutions with missionary origins.

The judgment, delivered on Monday, July 20, 2026, by Justice Y. S. Adekunle, has been hailed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State Chapter, as a landmark victory for constitutional democracy, religious freedom and the rule of law.

The decision followed a suit filed by Sumaiya Ayanrinde and four others against the Governor of Oyo State and three other defendants in Suit No. I/47/2026.

In a statement issued after the ruling, the General Secretary of MURIC’s Oyo State Chapter, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, described the judgment as a reaffirmation of the constitutional rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

According to MURIC, the court held that the directive prohibiting female Muslim students from wearing the hijab in government-owned public schools violated their fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, protection from discrimination, and the right to education.

Justice Adekunle also ruled that all government-owned public schools must remain secular and impartial, irrespective of their historical affiliations or missionary backgrounds, the group stated.

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As part of the judgment, the court reportedly directed the Oyo State Government to issue an official circular to all public schools authorising eligible Muslim female students to wear the hijab as part of their approved school uniform.

The court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the government and relevant authorities from enforcing any policy that prohibits the use of the hijab in government-owned public schools.

Reacting to the ruling, MURIC congratulated the Muslim parents, guardians and students who instituted the legal action, describing their persistence as a demonstration of confidence in the judicial process.

The organisation also commended the legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kazeem Gbadamosi, praising its commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of Muslim schoolgirls.

MURIC further applauded Justice Adekunle for what it described as a well-reasoned judgment that reinforces public confidence in the judiciary.

The Islamic rights advocacy group called on the Oyo State Government to comply fully with the court’s orders by issuing the necessary directives to education authorities and school administrators across the state.

It stressed that obedience to valid court judgments remains a cornerstone of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law.

The group also urged school administrators, teachers, parents and members of the public to accept the judgment peacefully and avoid actions capable of heightening religious tensions.

According to MURIC, the judgment should not be interpreted as a victory of one religious group over another but as an affirmation of every Nigerian’s constitutional right to practise his or her religion without discrimination.

The organisation advised members of the Muslim community in Oyo State to celebrate the judgment peacefully and responsibly while continuing to embrace lawful means of resolving disputes.

The legal battle over the use of the hijab in public schools has remained one of the most contentious religious issues in Oyo State in recent years, generating debates among religious groups, education stakeholders and civil society organisations over the balance between school regulations and constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.

Monday’s judgment is expected to have significant implications for education policy and religious rights in Oyo State, particularly regarding the implementation of dress codes in government-owned public schools.

Oyo High Court affirms Muslim students’ right to wear hijab in public schools

Why every Nigerian should download the Virtual NIN token today

Nigeria’s digital identity landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in years following the signing of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The new law strengthens the country’s identity management framework and introduces the Virtual National Identification Number (Virtual NIN or vNIN) as the preferred method for secure identity verification across government agencies and private organisations.

The reform is aimed at protecting Nigerians from identity theft, reducing data privacy risks and supporting the Federal Government’s vision of a secure, technology-driven economy. Rather than repeatedly sharing their permanent 11-digit National Identification Number (NIN), citizens are now encouraged to generate a Virtual NIN token whenever they need to verify their identity.

The Virtual NIN is an encrypted, temporary 16-character alphanumeric token generated directly from an individual’s NIN. Unlike the permanent NIN, which remains unchanged for life, the Virtual NIN is designed for one-time or short-term use. Each token is linked to a specific organisation requesting identity verification and automatically expires after 72 hours, significantly reducing the risk of fraud, identity theft and unauthorised access to personal information.

The introduction of the Virtual NIN follows the enactment of the NIMC Act 2026, which modernises Nigeria’s identity management system and empowers the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to strengthen digital identity infrastructure, enhance data protection and improve identity verification services nationwide.

Under the new framework, banks, telecommunications companies, government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions and other authorised organisations are expected to migrate from collecting citizens’ permanent NINs to using the more secure Virtual NIN verification process. The transition aligns Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem with global best practices, where temporary verification tokens are increasingly replacing the direct sharing of permanent personal identifiers.

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Why every Nigerian should download the Virtual NIN now

One of the biggest advantages of the Virtual NIN is enhanced protection against identity theft. Every time a permanent NIN is shared with multiple organisations, there is an increased risk that sensitive personal information could be copied, stored or misused. By replacing the permanent NIN with a temporary encrypted token, the system ensures that citizens retain greater control over their personal data.

The Virtual NIN also improves privacy by ensuring that each generated token can only be used by the organisation for which it was created. For example, a token generated for a bank cannot be reused by a telecommunications company or any other institution. This merchant-specific design greatly limits opportunities for fraudulent use.

Another major benefit is improved security for digital transactions. Since the Virtual NIN expires automatically after a short period, even if the token is intercepted, it cannot be reused indefinitely, providing an additional layer of protection for users.

The new verification method is also expected to make accessing services more efficient. As government agencies and private institutions adopt the platform, Nigerians will be able to verify their identities more quickly when opening bank accounts, replacing SIM cards, applying for passports, processing driver’s licences, accessing government programmes, enrolling in schools or receiving healthcare services.

What you need before generating your Virtual NIN

Generating a Virtual NIN token requires only a few basic items:

• Your 11-digit National Identification Number (NIN).
• The mobile phone number used during your NIN enrolment to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
• A smartphone with internet access.

Unlike previous identity systems, there is no need to obtain a physical identity card before using the Virtual NIN service.

How to generate your Virtual NIN token

The process takes only a few minutes using the official NIMC Personal ID (MWS) application.

Users should first download the application from an official app store before entering their NIN. After receiving and confirming the One-Time Password sent to their registered mobile number, they will be required to create a secure four-digit PIN for future access.

Once logged into the application, users can select the “Get Virtual NIN” option, scan the requesting organisation’s QR code or manually enter its Enterprise ID. The system will immediately generate a secure 16-character Virtual NIN token, which can then be shared with the requesting organisation for identity verification.

Nigeria’s digital identity future

The NIMC Act 2026 represents one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s identity management framework since the establishment of the National Identity Management Commission. The law supports the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda by strengthening identity verification, improving cybersecurity and encouraging the adoption of trusted digital services across both the public and private sectors.

Experts believe the Virtual NIN will play a key role in reducing identity fraud, improving public confidence in digital transactions and enabling more secure access to financial services, government programmes and online platforms.

Although physical identity cards and printed NIN slips remain valid where accepted, the Virtual NIN token is expected to become the standard method of identity verification as more institutions complete their migration to the new system.

For millions of Nigerians, downloading the Virtual NIN now offers not only greater convenience but also stronger protection of personal information in an increasingly digital world.

Why every Nigerian should download the Virtual NIN token today