Abdul Basit Usman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abdul Basit Usman
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| Born |
Ahmad Akmad Usman y Batabol
1974 Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, Philippines
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| Died | 3 May 2015 (aged 40–41) Guindulungan, Maguindanao
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| Nationality | Filipino |
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List
Usman Basit Basit Usman |
Ahmad Akmad Usman y Batabol (born 1974, died May 3, 2015), also known as Abdul Basit Usman, was a Filipino person. He was known as an expert in making bombs. Usman led a special group within the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. He also had connections to other groups that used violence, like Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah. The United States offered a reward of $1 million for his capture. This was part of their Rewards for Justice Program.
Early Life
Usman was born in 1974 in a village called Labo-Labo. This village is in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, in the southern Philippines. Before he became involved in violent activities, he worked in Pakistan. He was an overseas Filipino worker there.
Usman's Activities
Usman was linked to a bombing at the FitMart Mall. This happened in General Santos on April 21, 2002. This event caused many injuries and deaths. Weeks later, he was arrested. He was accused of building the bomb. He was held at the Sarangani Provincial Police Station. He was kept in a less strict prison area. This was because he seemed to be behaving well. His cell was not locked, and he escaped in October 2002.
After escaping, Usman joined Tahir Alonto. Alonto was a former commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The military said Alonto led a group that kidnapped people for money. Usman later offered to surrender. Senior Inspector Aucelito Cabang was Usman's police officer. He went with three other officers into Alonto's area to arrest Usman. Sadly, the officer was killed when they tried to arrest Usman. It turned out to be a dangerous situation.
Usman was later connected to other bombings. One was at a public market in Tacurong on October 10, 2006. This bombing injured four people. He was also linked to bombings in Cotabato City. These happened on January 5 and 7, 2007. These events caused two deaths and three injuries.
On January 14, 2010, news incorrectly said Usman had been killed. This was during an American drone strike in Pakistan. The strike targeted a leader of the Pakistani Taliban. Later, reports also said he died in military attacks in Maguindanao.
But Usman appeared again. In June 2014, government officials warned that he was planning a bombing. This was for Davao City. On January 25, 2015, he was one of two main targets. This was during the Mamasapano clash in Mindanao. His companion, Zulkifli Abdhir, was killed in the raid. However, Usman escaped. He fled into the Liguasan Marsh. The military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front worked to find him. President Aquino said, "We will get Usman."
How Usman Died
Usman was killed on May 3, 2015. This happened during a clash with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The event took place in Guindulungan, Maguindanao. It was thought that one of his own bodyguards might have killed him. This was possibly to get the $1 million reward for his capture. The Armed Forces of the Philippines first said there was fighting among his bodyguards. They said he had seven bodyguards, but they were not very loyal.
However, the Armed Forces of the Philippines later changed their statement. They confirmed that Usman was killed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
