The Department of State Services (DSS) says it will appeal life sentences for two top commanders of the Ansaru terror organisation by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite had, shortly after the two notorious terrorists pleaded guilty to the 32-count terrorism charge, sentenced them to life imprisonment on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Justice Nwite gave the verdict after the convicts and their lawyer begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
The convicts are the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, Mahmud Usman; and Abubakar Abba, who is the deputy and chief of staff to Usman.
Speaking on the judgment, a senior DSS official told journalists that the agency considered the life sentence too lenient, given the gravity of the crimes allegedly committed by the Ansaru commanders.
The DSS official said the service found it curious that both convicts were on the verge of pleading guilty to the charges but changed their minds shortly after some persons believed to be members of the same organisation kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He said: “For the nearly 60 days the kidnappers held on to the pupils and teachers of Oriire, the Ansaru commanders in our custody changed.
“One of the top conditions the abductors gave was the unconditional release of these same Ansaru commanders in exchange for the Oriire kidnap victims.”
He said from ‘not guilty plea,’ the two men at the penultimate court session said they were undecided on what plea to take.
Court sentences 2 Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment for terrorism offences
The DSS officer added: “Justice Nwite even had to hand them an ultimatum to make up their minds on or before Monday’s sitting.
“After the Oriire rescue, they came to court to plead guilty to all the charges.
“Allowing the two terror commanders walk away with life sentences will not serve the cause of justice for the two Oriire teachers beheaded by their abductors.
“The reason the terrorists beheaded the two Oriire teachers was to put pressure on government to release these two Ansaru commanders.
“It, therefore, wouldn’t be fair to see two men beheaded and their families are made to live with the losses without adequately bringing the culprits to book.”
