A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a top commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Hussaini Ismaila, to 20 years in prison for his role in multiple terror attacks carried out in Kano State.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Tuesday after Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, pleaded guilty to a four-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the prosecution, Ismaila coordinated the 2012 attacks on the Bompai Police Headquarters, the Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, the Pharm Centre Police Station, and the Angwa Uku Police Station in Kano State, among other locations, leaving several people injured.
The trial faced prolonged delays due to appeals and a trial-within-trial to determine whether Ismaila’s statements to investigators were voluntarily made. When the prosecution eventually opened its case, five witnesses including two DSS operatives and two eyewitnesses testified against him.
Initially, Ismaila pleaded not guilty but changed his plea after the fifth prosecution witness testified. His lawyer, P.B. Onijah of the Legal Aid Council, urged the court to show leniency, saying the defendant was remorseful and wished to avoid further delays.
Justice Nwite found Ismaila guilty and sentenced him to 15 years on count one, and 20 years each on counts two, three, and four. The sentences will run concurrently from August 31, 2017, the date of his arrest. The judge also ordered that Ismaila undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation before re-entering society after serving his term.
The judgment comes as the same court fixed January 15, 2026, for the trial of two alleged Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman, described as the group’s self-styled emir, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri. Their trial was adjourned to allow their lawyer access to DSS-held case files.
