The Abubakar Saidu-led Ansaru terror group is plotting mass abductions of schoolchildren and churchgoers in several parts of North to use them as human shields against military attacks, the Peoples Gazette has learnt.

Highly-placed military sources citing signal intelligence to the Nigerian Army told this newspaper that the group’s plan was decided during Mr Saidu’s meeting with the Shura Council (Council of Ministers) on November 2. 

They noted that the plot was fallout of sustained military onslaughts against the group’s member and operations in the northern region. 

It was gathered that the coordinated attacks are specifically targeted at public schools, churches and Christian-majority communities in Niger State and other parts of the North.

Ansaru, also known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis-Sudan, is an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organisation which emerged in Nigeria in January 2012 after breaking away from Boko Haram following disagreements with the insurgent group.

Military sources exclusively told The Gazette that monitoring of the group’s activities heightened following attacks which led to the assassination of Katsina-based Islamic cleric, Yahaya Ibrahim Massusuka, on October 26. 

Earlier, the group in an audio clip claimed responsibility for the murder of the cleric

who consistently challenged their Islamic teachings. 

This newspaper was informed that the group’s November 2 council meeting recorded celebration of Mr Massusuka’s assassination and appraisal of successful military attacks against it linked to alleged informants. 

The sources added that the group said the unidentified spies were leaking their operational secrets to the military which intercepts its communication. 

It was learnt that the sect therefore directed members to communicate only through Telegram or other approved communication channels, while also considering acquisitions of drone jammers and extra anti-aircraft guns for its combative activities.

Military sources further informed The Gazette that the Ansaru ordered its members to change camps, expose suspected secret agents among them and fortify their camps against military onslaughts.

It was gathered that the group believed the renewed attacks would bolster its defence capacity, further push its ideological views on the global stage and counter military claims of decimation. 

Recall that the group was formerly led by Abubakar Shekau who succeeded the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf, after he was killed in 2009. Though both originated from the same extremist movement, Ansaru and Boko Haram operated as separate factions. 

Their relationships were complicated by ideological and leadership differences.

Mr Saidu, also called Sadiku, was a senior Boko Haram member in the North-Central sent to North-West by the late Mr Shekau to raise money for JAS through kidnappings and cattle rustling.

In 2014, the group abducted 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. One of schoolchildren is Leah Sharibu held captive for not changing her religion.

Mr Sadiku’s other top four commanders are Umar Taraba, Alhaji Idris, Baba Saidu, and Ali Mai Doki. 

Reports noted that the Islamic terrorist leader was behind planning of the Abuja-bound train attack on March 28, 2022, which led to the death of eight passengers and abduction of 62 others.

On January 3, 2026, the group attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, Borgu, Niger State, killing at least 30 people and abducting an unspecified number of women and children. The group has also been identified as responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers in three schools in Oyo State on May 15 to put pressure on the Federal Government to free its detained leaders. The abducted victims have been released and some of the group’s arrested members are currently facing prosecution.

Mr Sadiku is known for kidnapping females and forcing child labour in Shiroro, Niger State before relocating to Kainji National Lake, where he coordinated killings around the axis including mass killing of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama, Kwara State. 

Military sources stated that the Ansaru terror group have networks in several northern states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, FCT, Zamfara and Kaduna states. 

Efforts to get the army to comment on the development were futile. The army spokesperson, Appolonia Anele, asked The Gazette to send her a text message and she had yet to respond to it as of the time this report was filed.

Also, the Niger State police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, didn’t respond to calls made to his phone and a text message sent remained unanswered as of press time.