Crime

ISWAP leader jailed 20 years, Ansaru terrorists’ trial begins January

Published

8 months ago

November 20, 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hussaini Ismaila, a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province, to 20 years in prison for terrorism-related offences.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Tuesday after Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on four counts filed under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Ismaila was accused of orchestrating coordinated attacks on police formations in Kano State in 2012.

He was said to have attacked the Police Headquarters in Bompai, the Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, Pharm Centre Police Station, and Angwa Uku Police Station, during which multiple people were injured.

He was arrested on August 31, 2017, at Tsamiyya Babba Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The trial experienced delays due to interlocutory appeals and a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of his extra-judicial statements.

The Department of State Services called five witnesses, including operatives and eyewitnesses.

Following the testimony of the fifth witness, Ismaila changed his plea.

His counsel, P. B. Onijah of the Legal Aid Council, urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that Ismaila was remorseful and had pleaded guilty to avoid further delays.

Justice Nwite found him guilty on all four counts, sentencing him to 15 years on count one and 20 years each on counts two, three, and four, to run concurrently.

The sentence takes effect from the date of his arrest, August 31, 2017.

The judge also ordered Ismaila to undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation upon completion of his term.

Meanwhile, the trial of two alleged Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, has been adjourned to January 15, 2026.

The defendants face a 32-count charge filed by the DSS, with alleged offences ranging from terrorism and kidnapping to illegal mining, terrorism financing, and arms procurement committed between 2015 and 2024.

Usman has pleaded guilty to Count 10 related to an economic crime but denied the remaining counts.

He had previously been sentenced to 15 years for engaging in illegal mining to fund terrorism and kidnapping. Abba has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The charges allege that the duo bombed the Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, trained in weapons handling and improvised explosives, kidnapped security personnel—including a Customs officer and an Immigration officer who was later killed—and collected millions of naira in ransom payments to procure arms and train followers in Mali and Sudan.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, defence counsel B. I. Bakum requested that the defendants be transferred to a correctional centre to facilitate access for trial, but DSS counsel David Kaswe opposed the request, citing procedural requirements.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 15, 2026, directing the defence to follow proper protocol in requesting access to their clients.

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Crime

Hoodlums tie up couple, steal ₦4m valuables in Bauchi – Police

Published

7 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested two suspects over their alleged involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking and armed robbery in Gadau community of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation into the incident.

According to the statement, a 28-year-old resident of Gadau Town reported the incident to the Gadau Divisional Police Headquarters on July 3, stating that the robbery occurred on June 8 at about 3:00 a.m.

The statement partly read, “On 3rd July, 2026, a 28-year-old complainant, male, resident of Gadau Town, reported at Gadau Division that on 8th June, 2026, at about 0300hrs, five unknown hoodlums armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons broke into his residence.”

It added, “According to the complainant, the hoodlums forced open his bedroom door, intimidated him and his wife with machetes, tied them up, and carted away valuables. Items stolen include one Jincheng motorcycle, five Android mobile phones, 10 sets of wrappers, the sum of ₦1,000,000 cash, one cap, and three wristwatches, all valued at about ₦4,000,000.”

The police spokesperson said detectives immediately visited the scene and launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives visited the scene and commenced an intelligence-led investigation. As a result of diligent follow-up, two suspects were subsequently arrested.

“They are Salisu Umar, 20, of the same address, and Sadiq Shehu, 20, of Azare, Katagum Local Government Area. They underwent preliminary investigation at the Divisional Headquarters,” Habib stated.

He further revealed that during an identification parade, the complainant’s wife identified one of the suspects.

“During an identification parade conducted, the complainant’s wife recognised and pointed out Sadiq Shehu as one of the persons who entered her room and forced her to open the main gate for the other accomplices,” he said.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the Divisional Police Officer and his team for the arrest and directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

He added that the commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, stressing that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that would assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested for allegedly robbing residents in Maiduguri

Published

11 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of the 7 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected impersonator accused of posing as a soldier to rob residents in the Shuwari area of Maiduguri, Borno State. Africans& Diaspora

The suspect, identified as Abdulazeez Mohammed, was apprehended at about 2:00 p.m. on July 1, 2026 following credible intelligence on his activities within the Shuwari General Area.

Security sources on Monday, July 6 said the suspect allegedly dressed in military camouflage to gain the confidence of residents before stealing mobile phones and other valuables from homes in the area.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 7 Division Garrison, supported by members of the CJTF, swiftly mobilised to the location and arrested the suspect without incident.

The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further investigation to determine the full extent of his activities and whether he is linked to any criminal syndicate.

Security authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report anyone suspected of unlawfully wearing military uniforms or engaging in suspicious activities, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces is a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested at Borno varsity suspected of acting as terrorist informant

Published

11 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The 25-year-old man who was arrested while dressed in military camouflage at Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, is being investigated for possible links to criminal intelligence gathering.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Monday that the suspect, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, was apprehended at about 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2026 at the university’s Njimtilo campus after his appearance in a desert camouflage uniform aroused suspicion among troops.

According to the sources, the suspect claimed during preliminary questioning that he was a newly admitted student of the university and had borrowed the military uniform from a civilian friend to attend the institution’s Career Week programme.

However, the claim quickly unraveled during interrogation.

The sources said the suspect was unable to communicate in English, failed to produce a valid student identity card, and could not access the university’s student portal on his mobile phone to verify his admission status.

Troops subsequently contacted the university management through the institution’s Systems Manager, who confirmed that the suspect was not a registered student of the university.

The university official also informed the troops that only final-year students were participating in the Career Week activities, contradicting the suspect’s claim that he had attended the event as a newly admitted student.

Security sources said the suspect is being investigated over suspicions that he may have been gathering intelligence under the guise of a soldier.

He remains in the custody of the 73 Battalion for further investigation.

Military authorities reiterated their warning against the unlawful use of military uniforms, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces poses a serious security threat and could be exploited by criminal and terrorist elements.