Nigeria: 325 terrorists bag death sentence, life jail

The Nigerian government has announced that it has prosecuted and secured the conviction of over 325 terrorists through its ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

The government said that the achievement was made possible by the Phase 5 and Phase 6 trials conducted at the Kainji Detention Facility.

In the Phase 5 trial, held in July 2024, 143 cases were heard, resulting in 125 convictions.

Phase 6, which took place at the same facility from December 9 to 13, 2024, saw a total of 237 cases heard, with 200 convictions secured.

According to a statement from the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, the convicted terrorists received various sentences ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment, as well as terms of 20 to 70 years, depending on the severity of their crimes.

The government further noted that those sentenced to the maximum penalty were individuals convicted of particularly gruesome crimes, such as attacks on women and children, the destruction of religious sites, the slaughter of innocent civilians, and the abduction of women and children during a brutal assault on the Gina Kara Kai community in Borno State.

The statement emphasised that individuals found guilty of terrorism financing were also sentenced to life imprisonment, reinforcing the government’s determination to dismantle the networks that enable terrorist activities.

“This milestone underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to justice for terrorism victims and the protection of Nigerian citizens’ lives and property,” the statement read.

It also highlighted the completion of Phase 5 of the trials, in which 143 cases were heard, with 125 convictions.

The government reassured that all necessary measures were in place to ensure the safety of judicial officers, witnesses, and other stakeholders involved in the proceedings.

The trials, presided over by five Federal High Court judges, adhered to international justice standards, contributing to peace and stability in affected regions.

“These trials are a reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to global best practices in prosecuting terrorism and upholding international conventions on human rights,” the statement noted.

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