Muhammad Basheer HotoroThe Federal Government has confirmed that over 700 individuals have been convicted and jailed across Nigeria for terrorism-related offences, with hundreds of other prosecutions currently underway.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Sunday while responding to questions from The PUNCH on the number of convicted terrorists in the country.
According to Idris, the Special Court for Boko Haram cases has held more than seven sessions, during which over 700 high-profile suspects were convicted. He said the court, now in its eighth session, continues to hear new cases as part of efforts to strengthen the rule of law in the fight against terrorism.
He explained that prosecutions of terrorism suspects were ongoing across the country at both state and federal levels, including in Abuja.
Idris also revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had concluded investigations and was prosecuting major cases, including those linked to the Owo Church attack, the Nyanya bombings, and the Yelwata attack in Benue State.
The minister further stated that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is currently handling hundreds of terrorism-related cases across the states, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other agencies are also engaged in similar prosecutions nationwide.
He noted that the government is also prosecuting economic crimes such as oil bunkering, theft, and pipeline vandalism, stressing that the Attorney-General of the Federation is working closely with the judiciary to expedite trials and ensure swift justice.
Nigeria has battled violent extremism for more than a decade, mainly from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The insurgency has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, especially in the North-East region.
To fast-track justice, the Federal Government in 2017 established a Special Terrorism Court under the Federal High Court to handle the prosecution of thousands of terror suspects.
Some of the notable cases before the court include suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 Owo Church attack in Ondo State, the 2014 Nyanya bombings near Abuja, and the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State.
The confirmation comes shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, alleging persecution of Christians.
Idris dismissed the allegation, saying the Nigerian government does not persecute anyone based on religion and remains committed to protecting the rights of all citizens.
Meanwhile, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called for U.S. foreign assistance to Nigeria to be conditioned on progress in tackling violations of religious freedom.
However, global powers such as China and Russia have expressed support for Nigeria, urging Washington to respect the country’s sovereignty as the government intensifies efforts to restore peace and security nationwide.
