The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that over 700 individuals have been convicted and imprisoned for terrorism-related offences across the country.
This announcement, made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlights the outcomes of the Special Court established to address Boko Haram and other terrorism cases.
The court, which has held more than seven sessions since its inception in 2017, has convicted hundreds of high-profile suspects and is currently in its eighth session, handling fresh cases.
Idris stated that prosecutions are ongoing at both state and federal levels, with the Department of State Services (DSS) actively pursuing major cases, including the 2022 Owo Church attack, the 2014 Nyanya bombings, and the June 2025 Yelwata massacre.
These incidents resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, with the Owo attack killing dozens of worshippers, the Nyanya bombings claiming over 70 lives, and the Yelwata clashes causing widespread devastation.
Beyond terrorism, Nigeria faces other security challenges, including banditry in the North-West, communal violence in the North-Central, separatist tensions in the South-East, and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Efforts to combat these issues have included prosecutions for economic crimes like pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering.
Idris noted that the Attorney General of the Federation is coordinating inter-agency efforts to expedite trials and ensure justice is served swiftly.
The announcement comes amid heightened international scrutiny, particularly after former U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
Trump claimed that Christian communities in Nigeria face an existential threat from Islamist extremists, prompting calls for military intervention to protect vulnerable populations.
However, the Nigerian government has rejected these allegations, maintaining that violent extremism affects citizens of all faiths.