A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, a senior ISWAP commander, to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related charges.
The verdict, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on 18 November, comes after a protracted trial that began in 2017, when the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a four-count charge against Ismaila and several others still facing prosecution.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the court imposed 15 years for count one and 20 years each on counts two, three, and four – with all sentences to run concurrently. Ismaila was found to have coordinated the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State, as well as other critical infrastructure, leaving multiple victims injured.
The DSS continues to prosecute other major terrorism cases, including that of Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the 26 August 2011 UN building bombing in Abuja, who is being tried alongside four co-defendants. Five additional suspects are also being tried for their alleged roles in the 5 June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
Trials are also underway for two internationally wanted terror suspects – Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (aka Abu Baara) – with proceedings scheduled to resume on 15 January 2026. Ten more suspects linked to attacks in Benue and Plateau states are currently being prosecuted, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to track down and arrest perpetrators.
Among those awaiting arraignment is the recently recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), an ISWAP leader who confessed to orchestrating attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and Deeper Life Church, Okene. Also in custody is Musa Abubakar, a key arms manufacturer and supplier arrested in Plateau State.
Meanwhile, the DSS has charged nine IPOB operatives tied to Simon Ekpa with terrorism financing and support. One suspect, Nigerien national Ibrahim Ali Larabo, is accused of bankrolling the group through an unlicensed Bureau de Change. Authorities say the men served as ESN fighters, arms dealers, and operatives acting under Ekpa, who is currently jailed in Finland for terrorism.
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