*Concludes eleventh section of mass terrorism trials with 791 convictions
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a complete of two,512 convictions in terrorism-related instances over 9 years, following the conclusion of the eleventh section of terrorism trials on the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka, disclosed this throughout a press briefing, revealing that the most recent section, carried out in October 2026, recorded 791 further convictions out of 1,069 instances dealt with throughout 10 courts.
He mentioned the trials exhibit the federal government’s dedication to combating terrorism, holding perpetrators and their financiers accountable, and strengthening the administration of justice whereas upholding the rule of regulation and the elemental rights of defendants.
Major General Laka revealed that among the many vital outcomes of this section was the conviction and sentencing to dying of Suleiman Abu in the case of the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Suleiman Abu.
He mentioned the Federal High Court discovered him responsible of Boko Haram membership and participation in terrorist assaults on navy amenities and civilians, ensuing in deaths and severe accidents.
The National Coordinator mentioned the judgment exhibits the seriousness with which Nigeria’s justice system addresses terrorism and affirms that perpetrators, no matter affiliation, are accountable below the regulation when prison accountability is established past cheap doubt.
He mentioned, “I’m subsequently happy to report that the eleventh section of terrorism trials recorded vital outcomes. Prior to this section, the primary 10 phases had resulted in a cumulative complete of 1,721 convictions.
“During the eleventh section, a further 791 convictions have been recorded, bringing the cumulative variety of convictions throughout all 11 phases to 2,512 convictions.
“In this last phase, a total of 1,069 cases were handled across 10 courts of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. The outcomes are as follows: 791 convictions; seven acquittals; 41 discharges; four cases struck out; three cases withdrawn; 211 cases adjourned; 11 cases pending; and one case recorded under another category.”
General Laka mentioned these phased trials reaffirm the Federal Government of Nigeria’s dedication to combating terrorism, making certain accountability for terrorism-related offences, and strengthening the administration of prison justice in Nigeria.
According to him, “Terrorism stays one of many gravest threats to our nationwide safety, peace and collective well-being. Its penalties lengthen far past the speedy victims of assaults. It destroys households, displaces communities, undermines financial growth and threatens the very foundations of our society. Our response, subsequently, should stay agency, coordinated and firmly rooted in the rule of regulation.
“These outcomes mirror the appreciable efforts of the judiciary, prosecuting authorities, investigative businesses, defence counsel and different establishments concerned in the administration of prison justice.
“They also demonstrate that our counter-terrorism efforts are not simply directed at securing convictions at all costs, but at ensuring that every case is determined fairly, objectively and in accordance with the law.”
Major General Laka additionally disclosed that this section addressed the monetary networks sustaining terrorism, with 201 terrorism-financing instances dealt with by the courts.
“These networks, facilitators and recruiters present sources for weapons, motion, recruitment, operational constructions and assaults. Disrupting them stays important to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism technique.
“Accountability extends beyond direct perpetrators to persons who knowingly finance, facilitate or otherwise support terrorism. The Federal Government will continue to strengthen cooperation among investigative, prosecutorial, financial intelligence and other relevant institutions to identify, disrupt and dismantle these financial structures,” he mentioned.
General Laka revealed that the most recent trials passed off between 15 and 17 October and 22 and 24 October 2026.
Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria commenced the primary section of mass terrorism trials in October 2017. The trials passed off at Wawa Military Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, involving suspected Boko Haram members.
