₦airaland Forum

DSS secures conviction of ISWAP commander, files fresh terrorism charges against IPOB operatives

By Zagazola Makama

The Department of State Services (DSS) has secured the conviction of a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and filed fresh terrorism charges against seven operatives of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as part of its ongoing nationwide counter-terrorism operations.

In a statement signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS said Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, pleaded guilty on Tuesday before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He was convicted on a four-count charge bordering on terrorism under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Justice Nwite sentenced him to 15 years on count one and 20 years each on counts two, three and four. The sentences will run concurrently.

According to the DSS, the convict coordinated the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State, and other facilities, which left several persons injured.

On Wednesday, the Service filed three separate terrorism charges—FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025—against seven key IPOB commanders believed to be linked to Finland-based agitator, Simon Ekpa, who is already serving a six-year prison sentence in Finland for terror-related offences.

The suspects were accused of receiving funds and material support from Ekpa and other foreign-based collaborators.
A major suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, identified as an illegal immigrant from Niger Republic operating an unlicensed Bureau de Change, was charged with terrorism financing. Larabo allegedly provided financial services to the Ekpa-led network, receiving and disbursing large sums for IPOB activities in the South-East.

The DSS said the suspects include IPOB commanders, arms couriers, Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters and foot soldiers.

The statement also recalled that the Service is prosecuting two internationally-wanted terror suspects Mahmud Muhammad Usman (alias Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (alias Abu Baara) whose trial resumes on January 15, 2025, before Justice Nwite.

Similarly, the agency is prosecuting Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the August 26, 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja, alongside four others.

Five additional suspects are facing a nine-count terrorism charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025) over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Ten others are also being prosecuted over attacks in Benue and Plateau states, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all perpetrators be identified and brought to justice.

The Service added that it will soon arraign the recently re-arrested Abdulazeez Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, an alleged ISWAP commander who confessed to orchestrating attacks on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and Deeper Life Church, Okene. Another suspect, Musa Abubakar, a major arms manufacturer and supplier arrested in Plateau State, will also face prosecution.

The DSS said its Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, upon assuming office in August 2024, ordered a comprehensive review of all inherited terrorism cases and directed forensic reinvestigations to ensure diligent prosecution.

DSS gives updates on Simon Ekpa, Mai Tangaran, other ongoing terrorism trials

By Ifreke Inyang 
Published on November 20, 2025

The Department of State Services, DSS, has provided updates on some ongoing terrorism trials.

These include that of Simon Ekpa, one of the commanders of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Ismaila, also known as Tangaran, a leader of the Islamic State of West Africa, ISWAP, among others.

This DSS update was shared on X today by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on New Media.

FULL UPDATE:

1. Newly Charged IPOB Commanders (Simon Ekpa Link)

The DSS has filed terrorism charges against seven key IPOB commanders linked to Simon Ekpa.

The suspects, identified as IPOB commanders, arms dealers/couriers, ESN fighters, and foot soldiers, are accused of receiving funds and material support for terrorist activities in the southeast from Ekpa and other foreign-based IPOB members.

The cases were filed on November 19, 2025, under file numbers FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025.

This group includes a key suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Niger, who specialised in terrorism financing.

Larabo operated an unlicensed bureau de change, BDC, to receive and disburse large sums of money for the proscribed group.

Their alleged financier, Simon Ekpa, has already been convicted and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in Finland.

2. Successfully Prosecuted Terrorist (Ismaila a.k.a. Mai Tangaran)

The DSS has secured the successful prosecution and conviction of Ismaila (a.k.a. Mai Tangaran), a leader of ISWAP.

Ismaila was responsible for coordinating the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State, and other critical facilities.

His trial, which began in 2017, concluded on November 18, 2025, when Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja pronounced the verdict.

Ismaila was convicted on a four-count charge under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

He received a cumulative sentence of 15 years on count one and 20 years each on counts two, three, and four, with all sentences running concurrently.

3. Internationally Wanted Suspects Awaiting Trial Resumption

The trial of two internationally wanted terror suspects will resume before Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 15, 2026. These individuals are Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (aka Abu Baara).

4. Ongoing Prosecution for High-Profile Bombing

Prosecution continues for Khalid Al‑Barnawi, accused of masterminding the UN complex bombing on August 26, 2011. Al-Barnawi is being prosecuted alongside four others for their involvement in the attack.

5. Suspects in the Owo Church and Other Regional Attacks

Five individuals are currently arraigned on a nine-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025) before the Federal High Court in Abuja for their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Additionally, the DSS is prosecuting 10 suspects arrested in connection with attacks in Benue and Plateau States.

These arrests followed a direct directive from President Bola Tinubu to apprehend the perpetrators of the regional attacks.

6. High-Value Suspects Awaiting Arraignment

Two other key suspects are scheduled for arraignment. The first is the recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), an internationally known ISWAP leader who reportedly confessed to masterminding the attacks on St. Francis Catholic, Owo, and Deeper Life Church, Okene.

The second is Musa Abubakar, a key manufacturer and supplier of arms and ammunition, arrested in Plateau State.

7. New DG-DSS Directives and Mandate

Upon assuming office in August 2024, the DG-DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, issued critical directives to enhance prosecution efforts. He ordered the review of all inherited cases and mandated forensic investigations to ensure diligent prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.

naptu2:
https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/20/dss-gives-updates-on-simon-ekpa-mai-tangaran-other-ongoing-terrorism-trials/

naptu2:
Zagazola @ZagazOlaMakama

The Service added that it will soon arraign the recently re-arrested Abdulazeez Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, an alleged ISWAP commander who confessed to orchestrating attacks on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo


https://x.com/ZagazOlaMakama/status/1991513799858299019?[/quote]When this attack happened, some low life's were mocking the south west, they never knew majority of the dead were from their region.

ebukal67x:
Simon Ekpa and his boys are reaping the fruits of their labor.

Ikaeniyan0:
When this attack happened, some low life's were mocking the south west, they never knew majority of the dead were from their region.

Ikaeniyan0:
When this attack happened, some low life's were mocking the south west, they never knew majority of the dead were from their region.

Wickedtruths:
Go and see empathy of Ibos on this thread.

https://www.nairaland.com/7162738/graphic-photos-ondo-catholic-church

pdppower:
Fulani terrorist 20 years imprisonment. Nnamdi Kanu freedom fighter, life imprisonment. Fulani are indeed the owners of Nigeria.

pdppower:
Fulani terrorist 20 years imprisonment. Nnamdi Kanu freedom fighter, life imprisonment. Fulani are indeed the owners of Nigeria.

pdppower:
Fulani terrorist 20 years imprisonment. Nnamdi Kanu freedom fighter, life imprisonment. Fulani are indeed the owners of Nigeria.

omoredia:
They cant give MNK death penalty cos they know he is innocent and the govt is the one that is guilty. The sentence is not justice but politics.

hatchy:
Someone should explain this judgement in a way i can understand because I yam not understanding it.

Terrorist Bomboy = 20 years Jail

Terrorist Cownu = Life Jail

All I know is Terrorist is a Terrorist and none should be pampered. Every one of them should face same jail term be it life or reduced term.