In a significant development in Nigeria's ongoing battle against terrorism, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Hussaini Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The conviction stems from Ismaila's direct involvement in orchestrating a series of coordinated terrorist assaults in Kano State more than a decade ago.
Ismaila, who was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 31, 2017, in Tsamiyya Babba Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, faced a four-count charge under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
The charges accused him of masterminding attacks that targeted key security installations, including the Kano Police Headquarters in Bompai, the Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, Farm Centre Police Station, and Angwa Uku Police Station.
These assaults, carried out in 2012 during the early phases of ISWAP's emergence as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, resulted in numerous injuries and heightened fear across northern Nigeria.
The trial, which spanned over eight years and encountered multiple delays including appeals and a trial-within-trial to verify the voluntariness of the defendant's statements reached a turning point when Ismaila abruptly changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.
This shift occurred immediately after the testimony of the fifth prosecution witness, which included DSS operatives, civilian eyewitnesses, and video evidence reportedly showing Ismaila directing terrorist operatives.
In delivering the judgment on Tuesday, Justice Nwite convicted Ismaila on all counts. He imposed a 15-year term for the first count and 20 years each for the remaining three, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Critically, the prison term is backdated to the date of Ismaila's arrest in 2017, effectively crediting him for time already served in custody. The court also directed the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to detain the convict in any facility deemed appropriate.
Emphasizing rehabilitation as part of the judicial response to extremism, Justice Nwite mandated that Ismaila undergo comprehensive deradicalization and rehabilitation programs upon completion of his sentence before any potential reintegration into society.
Defense counsel, P.B. Onijah from the Legal Aid Council, had pleaded for leniency, highlighting his client's expressed remorse and desire to avoid prolonging the proceedings.
This conviction represents a notable victory for Nigerian security agencies in prosecuting high-profile terrorist figures linked to ISWAP, a group that broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 and pledged allegiance to the global Islamic State network.
ISWAP has been responsible for numerous deadly incursions in the Lake Chad region and beyond, often targeting military formations and civilian populations. The group's activities have contributed to the displacement of millions and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria.
Legal experts note that cases like this underscore the challenges of securing swift justice in terrorism trials, which frequently involve complex evidence, witness protection issues, and appeals. The DSS presented a robust case with five witnesses, reinforcing the prosecution's narrative of Ismaila's pivotal role in the 2012 operations.
As Nigeria continues its multifaceted counter-terrorism efforts, including military operations under Operation Hadin Kai and community-based deradicalization initiatives, this sentencing serves as a deterrent to active insurgents and a reassurance to victims of past attacks that accountability remains a priority in the justice system.