A prosecution witness has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that members of the proscribed terrorist group – Jama’’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, Ansaru, supported by the proscribed international terrorist organisation Al-Ql-Qeada, killed a kidnapped school teacher and sent a video of the killing to the Federal Government after their demand for the release of detained members was allegedly rejected.
The witness identified as BBB gave the testimony during the trial of defendants accused of terrorism-related offences, where a flash drive containing the video was played in court.
A document allegedly containing a list of 30 detained persons the terrorists demanded to be released was also tendered in evidence.
The document, admitted as Exhibit Oyo A1, reportedly listed Abubakar Abbas, (aka Isah Adam, Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri), the second defendant, as number 10, while Mahmud Muhammad (aka Abu Bara’a, Abbas Mukhtar), the first defendant, appeared as number 23.
The witness said the terrorists threatened to kill more hostages if the Federal Government failed to meet their demands.
During proceedings, the defence indicated that it would address the contents of the documentary and electronic evidence at a later stage.
The court also heard allegations linking the defendants to previous attacks attributed to Ansaru, including an April 2022 operation in which 17 military personnel were reportedly killed. The witness alleged that Abu Bara’a led the operation, with Abbas serving as operations manager.
The prosecution witness further told the court that the defendants were linked to the 2013 abduction of seven foreign nationals, an operation for which Ansaru reportedly claimed responsibility.
An audio recording was also played in court, with the witness identifying the Abubakar Abbas as the person speaking about killings, investigations and arrests. The witness described the group’s ideology as one that regards security personnel and government officials as infidels.
The court heard that the group initially operated from Kaduna before relocating to where it allegedly maintained a presence while carrying out activities in other parts of the country.
The witness said intelligence gathering, including geospatial intelligence, had helped investigators trace the group’s activities to the area.
The witness also distinguished Ansaru from Boko Haram, alleging that while Boko Haram attacks both Muslims and Christians, Ansaru primarily targets non-Muslims, except Muslims working with the Federal Government.
During cross-examination, the witness said he had investigated Ansaru for an extended period, worked with foreign partners and participated in the arrest of at least three suspected members of the group.
He acknowledged that he did not establish direct communication with Ansaru members in the bush, explaining that the investigation was a joint operation.
He maintained, however, that the investigations had linked the defendants to the terrorist group.
The witness further disclosed that the arrests of the second defendant’s wife and the first defendant’s adopted daughter were among developments that led to the release of some kidnapped persons.
After listening to the witness and lawyers in the matter, Justice Salim Ibrahim adjourned trial to 19th and 20th November, 2026.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
