A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced notorious ISWAP commander Hussaini Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism charges.

Ismaila was identified by prosecutors as the coordinator of several deadly attacks across Kano in 2012, including strikes on the Bompai Police Headquarters, Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, Pharm Centre Police Station, and Angwa Uku Police Station. Several people were injured during the attacks.

He was arrested by the DSS on August 31, 2017, in Gezewa, Kano State, and arraigned on a four-count charge under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act.

During trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses, including DSS operatives and civilian eyewitnesses. Although Ismaila initially denied all charges, he changed his plea to guilty after the fifth witness testified. His lawyer pleaded for leniency, saying he was remorseful.

Justice Emeka Nwite convicted him on all counts and imposed a 20-year concurrent sentence, effective from the date of his arrest. The judge also directed that Ismaila undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation after serving his term.