By Kingsley Omonobi

The Federal Government, through the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, has successfully concluded 1,743 terrorism-related trials from 2017 to the present, according to a briefing in Abuja by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko.

Babadoko reported that out of the trials, 742 convictions were secured, 888 individuals were acquitted, and 92 cases were adjourned due to insufficient evidence. Specific details of the trials were as follows:

In October 2017: 50 convictions, 203 acquittals, and 28 adjournments.

In February 2018: 203 convictions, 582 acquittals, and 24 adjournments.

In July 2018: 113 convictions, 102 acquittals, and 9 adjournments.

In December 2023: 14 convictions, 1 acquittal, and 10 adjournments.

In July 2024: 125 convictions, no acquittals, and 21 adjournments.

In December 2024: 237 convictions, no acquittals, and no adjournments.

Convictions ranged from 60 years to life imprisonment, with defendants charged for terrorism, terrorism financing, and other crimes. Over the past year, 515 cases were resolved, and more than 800 individuals were transferred to the Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe for rehabilitation and reintegration, as per court orders and government policy.

Zakari Mijinyawa, the Director of Legal Services at the National Security Adviser’s office, clarified that the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation (DDRR) program applies to individuals not found guilty in court. Convicted individuals serve their sentences, while those suitable for rehabilitation receive psychological support and economic reintegration.

Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, recounted the history of terrorist attacks in Nigeria, starting from the 2010 Independence Day bombing. He praised the collaboration of various stakeholders, including the judiciary, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and the media, in ensuring the success of the trials.

The trials are conducted under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and other related laws, which proscribe terrorist groups like Boko Haram, Ansaru, IPOB, Yan Bindiga, and Yan Ta’ädda.

Laka also highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address the rising domestic terrorism and the significant mass trials that have led to the detention of 1,600 suspects at Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State.