FG Secures 1,721 Terrorism Convictions Through Mass Trial Programme

The Federal Government says it has secured 1,721 convictions for terrorism and related offences through its mass trial programme since the initiative began in 2017, describing the achievement as a major milestone in the country’s fight against terrorism.

The Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security press briefing by spokespersons of the nation’s security, defence and law enforcement agencies.

Mijinyawa said the convictions were recorded across 10 phases of the mass trial programme coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, security and law enforcement agencies, with support from international partners.

According to him, the programme has not only secured convictions but has also upheld the principles of due process by discharging or acquitting defendants where prosecutors failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

“The sustained implementation of the mass trial programme underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring accountability for terrorism-related offences while upholding constitutional guarantees of fair trial, due process and the rule of law,” he said.

He explained that the first three phases of the trials, conducted between 2017 and 2018 at Wawa Cantonment, Kainji, resulted in 366 convictions, while 882 defendants were discharged, five acquitted, and 61 cases adjourned for further hearing.

Mijinyawa noted that the programme recorded its highest number of convictions in 2026, during phases nine and 10 held at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

He said the two phases produced 865 convictions—386 in phase nine and 479 in phase 10—while 28 defendants were discharged, one acquitted, and 224 cases adjourned.

According to him, phase four in 2023 recorded 14 convictions, while phases five and six in 2024 resulted in 351 convictions, including cases involving terrorism financing, international crimes, and sexual and gender-based violence.

He added that phases seven and eight, conducted in 2025, produced 125 additional convictions.

Mijinyawa highlighted that the 865 convictions secured in 2026 account for more than 50 per cent of all terrorism-related convictions recorded since the programme commenced in 2017, surpassing the combined 856 convictions secured during the preceding nine years.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to continue prosecuting terrorism-related cases while ensuring that all defendants receive fair hearings in line with constitutional and international legal standards.