Court Sentences ISWAP Commander to 20 Years’ Imprisonment
The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, has convicted and sentenced Hussaini Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), to 20 years’ imprisonment for terrorism‑related offences.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite found the defendant guilty on four counts brought under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, following his change of plea from not guilty to guilty.
Ismaila was accused of orchestrating coordinated attacks on police formations in Kano State in 2012, including: Police Headquarters, Bompai, Mobile Police Base, Kabuga Road, Pharm Centre Police Station, Angwa Uku Police Station.
Several persons sustained injuries during the attacks and he was arrested on 31 August 2017 at Tsamiyya Babba Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State.
The trial was protracted due to interlocutory appeals and a trial‑within‑trial to determine the voluntariness of his extra‑judicial statements. The Department of State Services (DSS) presented five witnesses, including operatives and eyewitnesses.
After the fifth witness testified, Ismaila changed his plea. His counsel, P. B. Onijah of the Legal Aid Council, urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting his remorse and willingness to avoid further delays.
Justice Nwite convicted him on all counts, imposing: 15 years’ imprisonment on Count One and 20 years each on Counts Two, Three, and Four
The sentences are to run concurrently, effective from the date of arrest (31 August 2017). The court further directed that Ismaila undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation upon completion of his custodial term.
Meanwhile, the trial of two alleged Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, has been adjourned to 15 January 2026.
The defendants face a 32‑count charge filed by the DSS, covering terrorism, kidnapping, illegal mining, terrorism financing, and arms procurement between 2015 and 2024.
Usman pleaded guilty to Count 10 (an economic crime) but denied the remaining counts. He had earlier been sentenced to 15 years for illegal mining linked to terrorism financing.
Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The charge sheet alleges that the duo: bombed the Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, trained followers in weapons handling and improvised explosives, kidnapped security personnel, including a Customs officer and an Immigration officer (later killed), collected millions of naira in ransom payments to procure arms and train recruits in Mali and Sudan.
During proceedings, defence counsel B. I. Bakum requested transfer of the defendants to a correctional centre to facilitate trial access. DSS counsel David Kaswe opposed, citing procedural requirements. Justice Nwite adjourned the matter, directing the defence to follow proper protocol in seeking access.
