On 18 November 2025, one of the leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP),
Ismaila (aka Mai Tangaran), who has been standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja since 2017, pleaded guilty and was convicted on a four-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013.
Justice Nwite sentenced him to 15 years in relation to count one and 20 years on counts
two, three and four. The sentences are to run concurrently. The convict coordinated the 2012 attacks on Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State and other critical facilities in which many were injured.
The DSS is prosecuting Khalid Al‑Barnawi, accused of being the mastermind of the 26 August, 2011, UN building bombing in Abuja. Al-Barnawi, alongside four others, are being prosecuted for their involvement in the attack.
The Service is also prosecuting five other suspects on a nine count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025
for their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The DSS had earlier filed charges against two internationally-wanted terror suspects – Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (aka Abu Baara) – whose trial will resume before Justice Nwite (of the Federal High Court in Abuja) on 15 January, 2026.
Equally being prosecuted by the DSS, are 10 suspects arrested in connection with attacks in Benue and Plateau states.The suspects were arrested shortly after President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the perpetrators be fished out.
On the list of those to be arraigned by the DSS is recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), believed to be an internationally known ISWAP leader, who confessed to have masterminded attacks on St Francis Catholic, Owo and Deeper Life Church, Okene and one Musa Abubakar, a key manufacturer and supplier of arms and ammunition who was arrested in Plateau State.
On November 19, Terrorism charges were filed against nine (9) IPOB key commanders linked to Simon Ekpa before a FHC, in Abuja
In the five separate suits, the nine suspects were charged with receiving funds and other material support from Simon Ekpa and other foreign-based IPOB members.
A key suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, charged with terrorism financing, is an illegal immigrant from Niger Republic, operating a Bureau de change (BDC) without licence. He provided financial services for the Simon Ekpa-led proscribed group, receiving and disbursing large sums of monies for IPOB terrorism activities in the southeast.
The suspects were established to be IPOB commanders, arms dealers/couriers, ESN fighters, and foot soldiers funded and directed by Simon Ekpa who has been convicted of terror related charges and sentenced to six years imprisonment in Finland.
The DG-DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, upon assuming office in August 2024, ordered the review of all the cases he inherited. He also directed that forensic investigations be conducted on these cases to aid diligent prosecution in accordance with Nigerian laws.
Favour Dozie.
Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications
Department of State Services (DSS)
20 November, 2025