Men of the Department of State Services (DSS) have captured two leaders of Al-Ansaru and Mahmuda terrorist groups which have been operating in Nigeria for some years.

Reacting to this development, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has commended the National Security Adviser (NSA) as well as the head of the Department of State Services (DSS) for this feat.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Monday, 18th August, 2025 by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

He wrote:

“Terrorism suffered a major blow in recent time. It was revealed on Friday, 15th August, 2025 that the two leaders of Al-Ansaru and Mahmuda terrorist groups, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, the self-styled Amir of Ansari and his comrade in terrorism, Mahmud al-Nigeri.

“The two terrorists have been on the wanted list of Nigeria, the US, UK and UN for years. They had succeeded in evading arrest until they were captured in a sting operation conducted between May and July 2025.
(https://www.thegazellenews.com/nigeria-dismantles-terror-groups-ansaru-mahmuda-captures-their-leaders/#google_vignette).

“MURIC hails Nigeria’s indefatigable National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for replicating his brilliant performance and enviable record as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in his present position.

“The big come-back of the security agencies, their resilience and recent successful onslaughts against Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals can be traced to his methodical cum microscopic re-engineering of Nigeria’s security paraphernalia.

“Equally worthy of encomiums for this feat is the head of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi. His tactics since resuming office in August 2024 have been that of silent but effective containment of security threats which is symptomatic of undiluted professionalism.

“Yet we must not forget those who face the real danger. They are the DSS operatives in the field. They are the lurking shadows at the street corners, those who spend days sleeping inside vehicles, those who lose their identities in crowds, those who are to see but must not be seen. We salute them. We appreciate their sacrifices for our great country, Nigeria. They are the real heroes.

“MURIC urges the Federal Government (FG) to do more for the security agencies in terms of equipment and welfare. No amount spent on security is wasted because every other sector depends on the safety of the ecosystem to function.

“For the upteenth time, we as an Islamic human rights organization decry terrorism and all forms of violence. True to our avowed motto which is ‘Dialogue, No Violence’, we hold that violence is a square peg while vengeance and justice are round holes. They do not fit. We reject all groups that are promoting, rationalizing or pursuing violence. What you seek is never what you get.

“We assert clearly, unequivocally and emphatically that terrorists do not represent Muslims, rather they are a clog in the wheel of the progress of Islamdom. They smear the good name of Islam and they deface the whole gamut of Islamic architecture.”