Nigeria Secures 44 New Terrorism Convictions 

Nigeria has recorded fresh progress in its counter-terrorism efforts, securing 44 convictions out of 54 suspects recently arraigned in the ongoing Phase 7 of the Kainji Detention Facility Terrorism Trials.

This was disclosed in a statement released Saturday in Abuja by Mr. Michael Abu, Head of Strategic Communication at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

According to Abu, the remaining 10 cases were adjourned, with proceedings conducted across four courts, each presided over by a Federal High Court judge.

With these latest convictions, Nigeria has now achieved a total of 785 successful prosecutions for terrorism financing and other terrorism-related offences — a milestone Abu says reflects intensified national efforts to combat violent extremism, disrupt funding networks, and enhance national security through the rule of law.

“The verdicts delivered from the trials resulted in prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years, all to be served with hard labour, underscoring the severity of the crimes and the Nigerian justice system’s resolve to uphold accountability and deter future transgressions,” the statement read.

The trials formally commenced on Wednesday, July 9, with an opening ceremony attended by senior government officials. The National Coordinator of NCTC–ONSA, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, delivered remarks on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar.

“Both officials reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to justice and its determination to confront terrorism through lawful and transparent means,” Abu stated.

He further recalled that in the preceding Phase 6 of the trials, 237 cases were heard, resulting in 200 convictions. Sentences ranged from death penalties and life imprisonment to terms of 20 to 70 years, depending on the gravity of the offences.

Many of the convicted terrorists were found guilty of horrific crimes, including attacks on women and children, destruction of religious sites, civilian killings, and the abduction of women and children during a savage assault on the Gina Kara Kai community in Borno State.