Over 700 terrorism offenders convicted in Nigeria – FG

The Federal Government has announced that more than 700 individuals have been convicted and imprisoned for terrorism-related offences across Nigeria.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Sunday, noting that the convictions followed multiple sessions of the Special Court established to handle Boko Haram and other terror-related cases.

According to Idris, the Special Court has conducted over seven trial sessions, leading to the conviction of hundreds of high-profile suspects involved in terrorism.

He added that the court is currently in its eighth sitting, hearing fresh cases as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law in the country’s fight against insecurity.

“Prosecutions of terrorism suspects are underway in courts across Nigeria – at both state and federal levels in Abuja,” Idris said.

“The Special Court for Boko Haram cases has held more than seven sittings, securing convictions for over 700 high-profile suspects. It is now in its eighth session with trials continuing.”

The minister also confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had concluded investigations and is prosecuting key cases, including suspects linked to the Owo Church attack, the Nyanya bombings, and the Yelwata massacre, alongside others implicated in various terror incidents.

According to him, the Nigeria Police Force is currently handling hundreds of terrorism and violent crime cases across states, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies are actively engaged in related prosecutions.

He added that prosecutions for economic crimes such as oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline vandalism were also ongoing in courts nationwide.

“The Attorney General of the Federation is providing leadership to all government institutions and collaborating with the judiciary to expedite trials, ensuring justice is swiftly delivered,” Idris said.

Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges over the past decade, particularly from insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Since 2009, their attacks have killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, especially in the North-East region.

To tackle the crisis, the Federal Government established a Special Terrorism Court under the Federal High Court in 2017 to fast-track the prosecution of thousands of terrorism suspects.

Some major cases before the court include suspects linked to:

the June 5, 2022 Owo Church attack in Ondo State,

the 2014 Nyanya bombings near Abuja, and

the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue and Nasarawa States.

The Owo attack left dozens of worshippers dead, while the Nyanya explosions claimed over 70 lives. The Yelwata clashes resulted in multiple deaths and widespread displacement.

Beyond insurgency, Nigeria continues to grapple with banditry in the North-West, communal violence in the North-Central, separatist agitation in the South-East, and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, international attention has heightened following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.

Trump claimed that Christianity in Nigeria faces an “existential threat” from Islamist extremists and announced that he had directed the Pentagon to explore “possible military measures” to protect Christian communities.