The Federal Government has disclosed that more than 700 high-profile Boko Haram members and other terrorism suspects have so far been convicted across the country, with hundreds of new trials currently underway.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the revelation while speaking on the ongoing prosecutions and convictions of individuals linked to terrorist activities.
Idris explained that a Special Court dedicated to Boko Haram cases had held over seven sessions, resulting in the conviction of more than 700 suspects, while fresh hearings were ongoing in its eighth sitting.
“The Special Court for Boko Haram cases has held more than seven sittings, securing convictions for over 700 high-profile suspects. It is now in its eighth session with trials continuing,” Idris told PUNCH.
He said the prosecutions formed part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s broader efforts to uphold accountability, justice, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
“Prosecutions of terrorism suspects are underway in courts across Nigeria, at both state and federal levels in Abuja,” the minister added.
According to him, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is working closely with the judiciary to accelerate the process and ensure that justice is delivered promptly.
Idris also maintained that the Department of State Services (DSS) had concluded investigations into several major attacks and was prosecuting those responsible.
These, the minister revealed, include suspects linked to the Owo Church massacre, the Nyanya bombing, and the Yelwata attack, among others.
“The police are currently handling hundreds of cases across the states, while the NSCDC and other security agencies are also active nationwide,” he said.
Earlier, the minister clarified that over 17,000 terrorism suspects remained in custody nationwide, rejecting claims that Christians were being persecuted in Nigeria.
His remarks came in response to recent statements attributed to United States (US) President Donald Trump, who reportedly threatened military action against Nigeria over alleged “genocide against Christians.”
The Tinubu administration has since dismissed the allegations and rejected Washington’s classification of Nigeria as a country of particular concern.
Boko Haram and its splinter factions have been responsible for thousands of deaths, mass abductions, and large-scale displacement across Nigeria’s North-East region since 2009, leaving millions uprooted and communities devastated.
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