US Praises Nigeria for Securing 386 Terrorism Convictions in Mass Trials
The United States has praised Nigeria for successfully securing 386 convictions in terrorism-related mass trials, describing the move as a strong step toward accountability and the fight against extremism.
The commendation was given by Massad Boulos, the US senior adviser for Arab and African affairs. In a statement shared publicly, he highlighted the importance of fast and transparent legal processes in dealing with terrorism cases and building trust in the justice system.
According to Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the federal government secured 386 convictions out of 508 terrorism-related cases brought before the courts. This effort is seen as one of the largest coordinated moves to clear long-standing case backlogs in the country’s judicial system.
The mass trials are part of broader efforts by the Nigerian government to tighten enforcement against terrorism and disrupt extremist networks. Authorities have also increased focus on tracking and stopping terrorism financing across the country.
As part of this crackdown, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee recently released a list of 48 individuals and organisations allegedly linked to terrorism financing. Among those named were Simon Ekpa and Tukur Mamu.
The list also included banned groups such as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ansarul Sudan, and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), all of which have been linked to extremist activities in Nigeria.
This development follows other major convictions in recent months. In November 2025, Nnamdi Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja after being found guilty of terrorism-related charges.
Additionally, on April 7, four individuals were convicted for supplying materials to Boko Haram fighters in Borno State, further showing the government’s commitment to tackling terrorism at different levels.
The US noted that such actions are important in strengthening justice systems, improving national security, and restoring public confidence in governance.
