Nigeria Secures 1,721 Terrorism Convictions Since 2017

Since the initiation of its mass trial program in October 2017, the Federal Government of Nigeria has secured 1,721 convictions related to terrorism offenses. Zakari Mijinyawa, Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser, disclosed this during a joint security briefing in Abuja.

The program, which involves collaboration among various agencies including the Federal Ministry of Justice, has successfully completed ten phases of trials. The first three phases conducted between 2017 and 2018 resulted in 366 convictions, 882 discharges, and five acquittals.

The program resumed in 2023, with subsequent phases producing additional convictions, including cases involving terrorism financing and sexual violence. Mijinyawa emphasized the government's commitment to due process and fair trial standards, ensuring that defendants are acquitted if the prosecution fails to meet legal standards.

The program is set to continue through 2026, with significant milestones achieved in the fight against terrorism.