Court Jails ISWAP Leader 20 Years for Terrorism!
Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hussaini Ismaila, a top commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), to 20 years in prison for terrorism-related offences. The verdict follows a detailed prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS), which linked Ismaila to multiple terror plots in northern Nigeria.
“The convict posed a grave threat to national security and must be held accountable,” the DSS prosecutor told the court.
Key Details:
- Ismaila was arrested in 2022 during a covert operation in Kaduna.
- He was charged with coordinating attacks, recruiting fighters, and aiding ISWAP’s logistics.
- The trial was held in camera for national security reasons.
Why It Matters:
- The conviction is a rare success i Nigeria’s terrorism prosecution record.
- It signals intensified efforts by the DSS and judiciary to curb extremist threats.
- Sets a precedent for ongoing trials of other detained ISWAP and Boko Haram operatives.
What to Watch:
- Reactions from counterterrorism stakeholders.
- Follow-up trials involving other members of the sameNetwork.
- Security impact in ISWAP-affected regions like Borno, Yobe, and parts of Niger State.
Sources:
- DSS Legal Department – Nov. 2025
- The Nation – “ISWAP Leader Jailed for Terrorism”
- Premium Times – “Court Sentences Terror Commander to 20 Years”
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