ISWAP Commander Hussaini Ismaila Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison by Abuja Federal High Court

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hussaini Ismaila, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), to 20 years in prison for coordinating a series of terrorist attacks in Kano State.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday after Ismaila—also known as Mai Tangaran—changed his plea to guilty on a four-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), in accordance with the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Coordinated Attacks Across Kano

According to the prosecution, Ismaila played a leading role in multiple violent attacks carried out in 2012, including assaults on:

• The Kano Police Headquarters in Bompai
• The Mobile Police Base along Kabuga Road
• The Pharm Centre Police Station
• The Angwa Uku Police Division

Several people sustained injuries during the operations, which were linked to ISWAP’s wider campaign of violence in the region.

Arrest, Delays, and Trial

Ismaila was arrested on August 31, 2017, at Tsamiyya Babba Village in Gezewa Local Government Area of Kano State. His trial, however, faced prolonged delays due to various appeals and a trial-within-trial to determine whether his statements to DSS investigators were voluntary.

When the prosecution finally opened its case, it presented five witnesses, including DSS operatives and civilians who witnessed some of the attacks. After the fifth witness testified, Ismaila withdrew his initial plea of not guilty and admitted to the charges.

Conviction and Sentencing

His counsel, P. B. Onijah of the Legal Aid Council, pleaded for leniency, stating that the defendant had shown remorse and did not wish to waste the court’s time.

Justice Nwite subsequently convicted him on all four counts. He sentenced him to:

• 15 years imprisonment on count one
• 20 years imprisonment each on counts two, three, and four

The court ruled that the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Ismaila will serve a total of 20 years.

Sentence Backdated to 2017

The judge also ordered that the prison term should take effect from the date of his arrest—August 31, 2017. Additionally, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service was directed to assign Ismaila to an appropriate facility and ensure he undergoes rehabilitation and deradicalisation upon completing his jail term.