The Department of State Services (DSS) has been actively engaged in the pursuit of justice, sharing updates on the trials of terrorism suspects. On November 19, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja will continue the trial of two high-profile terrorism suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba, who were captured in a high-risk counter-terrorism operation in July. Usman, the self-styled Emir of Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), is accused of coordinating terrorist sleeper cells and masterminding high-profile kidnappings and robberies. Abba, his chief of staff, is alleged to have led the 'Mahmudawa' cell, operating in the Kainji National Park and beyond. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) revealed that Mamuda received training in Libya, specializing in weapons handling and IED fabrication. Usman and Abba face 32-count terrorism charges, with Usman pleading guilty to illegal mining and sentenced to 15 years. Abba pleaded not guilty. The DSS is also prosecuting Khalid Al-Barnawi, accused of the 2011 bombing of the UN Complex in Abuja, and four other terror suspects. Legal and procedural issues have delayed the trial, but the DSS recently requested an accelerated hearing, which Justice Nwite granted. On October 23 and 24, a trial-within-trial was conducted, including the playing of confessional statements in court. The DSS has also arraigned five men for their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francs Catholic Church in Owo, with over 40 deaths and 100 injuries. The defendants face nine-count terrorism charges, including membership in the Al Shabab group. In another development, the DSS filed terrorism charges against nine suspects, including Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi, for their alleged roles in the Abinsi and Yelwata attacks. The DSS Director General, Tosin Ajayi, emphasized the diligence of Nigeria's security agencies in dealing with terrorism, stating that the suspects will be held accountable for disrupting the country's peace.
