Justice Prevails: FG Boasts Over 1,700 Terrorism Convictions

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a significant milestone in its fight against terrorism, securing 1,721 terrorism-related convictions since the inception of its Mass Trial Programme (MTP) in October 2017. This crucial update was provided by Mr. Zakari Usman Mijinyawa, Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), during a joint security briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, July 2. A striking achievement highlighted was that more than half of these convictions, specifically 865 cases, were recorded in the year 2026 alone, demonstrating an accelerated pace of justice delivery against terrorism and related offences.

The Mass Trial Programme, a collaborative initiative coordinated by ONSA, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, and various security and law enforcement agencies, including international partners, aims to ensure accountability for terrorism-related crimes while strictly adhering to the rule of law and international fair trial standards. Mijinyawa emphasized the government's commitment to due process, noting that defendants whose guilt could not be established beyond reasonable doubt were discharged or acquitted, balancing national security with the protection of fundamental rights.

The programme has successfully completed 10 phases of trials. The initial three phases, conducted between 2017 and 2018 at Wawa Cantonment, Kainji, resulted in 366 convictions, alongside 882 discharges, five acquittals, and 61 adjourned cases. Following a resumption in 2023, Phase Four yielded 14 convictions. Phases Five and Six, held in 2024, added 351 convictions, addressing cases of terrorism financing, international crimes, and sexual and gender-based violence. During this period, eight defendants were discharged, and three were referred for medical or mental health evaluation.

Continuing this progress, Phases Seven and Eight, conducted in 2025, secured an additional 125 convictions. The years 2023 to 2025 collectively produced 490 convictions. The most impactful phase occurred in 2026, with Phases Nine and Ten, held at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, delivering an impressive 865 convictions. This comprised 386 convictions in Phase Nine and 479 in Phase Ten. These 865 convictions in a single year surpassed the combined total of 856 convictions recorded over the previous nine years of the programme, marking a significant acceleration in the administration of criminal justice for terrorism cases. Additionally, in these phases, 28 defendants were discharged, one person acquitted, and 224 cases adjourned for continuation of trial.

Beyond judicial successes, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) presented a comprehensive report on military operations conducted across the country between January and June 2026. Major-General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, represented by Group Captain Kabiru Ali, disclosed that troops neutralised 1,597 terrorists and other criminal elements, rescued 1,516 kidnapped victims, and carried out a total of 14,221 operations. These extensive operations involved coordinated land, air, and maritime missions across multiple theatres of operation.

The military's efforts also led to substantial recoveries, including 451 firearms, 16,726 rounds of ammunition, and 161 explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), significantly degrading the operational capabilities of various criminal groups. Operations spanned major security flashpoints such as Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo, and Kaduna states. Specific successes included the rescue of 261 kidnapped victims from terrorist enclaves, neutralisation of 412 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, arrest of 332 suspected terrorists, and the recovery of weapons, motorcycles, and livestock. Furthermore, sustained military pressure led to the surrender of 132 Boko Haram and ISWAP members, and troops safely detonated 31 IEDs.

In addition to combat operations, the Armed Forces implemented 33 peacebuilding initiatives, conducted 13 public sensitisation campaigns, and engaged in 33 stakeholder dialogues involving traditional and religious leaders. Strategic communication efforts included issuing 593 press releases, countering 15 cases of misinformation, and releasing 10 public advisories to enhance public awareness and trust. Major-General Uba reaffirmed the Armed Forces' unwavering commitment to sustaining operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, and crude oil theft, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and provide credible intelligence.

Complementing these efforts, CSP Iniedu Okokon, the Force Public Relations Officer, reported on the Nigeria Police Force's achievements during the first half of the year. The police successfully dismantled several criminal networks and significantly strengthened intelligence-led policing nationwide. Operations resulted in the arrest of thousands of criminal suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and recovery of numerous firearms, ammunition, and other exhibits.

The Force Intelligence Department's Intelligence Response Team, for instance, arrested 50 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping, and armed robbery, recovering 17 rifles, an anti-aircraft launcher, and 111 rounds of ammunition. Police also dismantled a 33-member criminal network involved in terrorism, cattle rustling, and violent attacks in Kwara State and apprehended suspects connected to the killing of three police officers in Taraba State. Noteworthy rescue operations included freeing a kidnapped woman and her 12-year-old twin sons on June 6, during which two suspected kidnappers were neutralised and two firearms recovered. Enhanced border security led to the interception of 181 rounds of ammunition along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, while collaboration with INTERPOL was strengthened to combat transnational organised crime. Furthermore, operatives dismantled a railway vandalism syndicate, recovering approximately 60 tonnes of stolen railway materials valued at N400 million.

These comprehensive reports underscore the Federal Government's multi-pronged approach to enhancing national security and ensuring justice, with coordinated efforts across judicial, military, and law enforcement sectors yielding substantial results in the ongoing battle against insecurity and criminal elements.