The Department of State Services (DSS) has intensified its crackdown on terrorism financiers, logisticians and field commanders across the country, securing a major conviction and filing multiple high-profile charges before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a statement on the latest wave of prosecutions, Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, stressed that the Service is unwavering in its mission.
“These prosecutions demonstrate our resolve to ensure that terror planners, financiers and attackers are brought to justice. The DSS remains fully committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s internal security,
”On 18 November 2025, Ismaila “Mai Tangaran”, a top ISWAP commander standing trial since 2017, pleaded guilty to a four-count charge under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013. Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced him to 15 years on the first count and 20 years each on the remaining counts, to run concurrently. Investigations linked him to the 2012 attack on the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano and other deadly strikes.
”The agency is also prosecuting Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the August 26, 2011 UN Building bombing in Abuja, alongside four others accused of playing key roles in the attack,” she stated.
Dozie disclosed that in another case, five suspects are facing a nine-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025) for the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. “Trials have progressed steadily under the watch of the Service.
”Similarly, the DSS has filed charges against globally-wanted terror suspects Mahmud Muhammad Usman (Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (Abu Baara), with their trial scheduled to resume on January 15, 2026.
”Ten additional suspects linked to coordinated attacks in Benue and Plateau are also being prosecuted. Among them is recaptured ISWAP operative Abdulazeez Obadaki (“Bomboy”), who confessed to orchestrating attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo and Deeper Life Church in Okene. Another key suspect, Musa Abubakar, alleged to be a manufacturer and distributor of arms, was arrested in Plateau State,” she stated.
She also revealed that in a separate operation, the DSS has filed terrorism-financing charges against nine IPOB commanders affiliated with Simon Ekpa. “They were arraigned on November 19 in Abuja. The suspects allegedly received funds and materials from Ekpa and other foreign-based collaborators.
”One of them, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, is an illegal immigrant from Niger Republic accused of running an unlicensed Bureau De Change to channel funds for IPOB’s violent activities in the Southeast. The suspects were identified as arms couriers, ESN fighters and commanders working under Ekpa’s direction. Ekpa is already serving a six-year sentence in Finland for terror-related offences,” she stated.
Dozie noted that the DG-DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, had since August 2024 ordered a forensic-backed review of all inherited terrorism cases to ensure airtight prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.
DSS Tightens Noose on Terror Networks, Jails ISWAP Kingpin, Charges IPOB Commanders
