The federal government on Saturday disclosed it has secured the convictions of 44 terrorists suspects in the Phase 7 of the Kainji Detention Facility Terrorism Trial.
The government through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said the 44 convicts were secured out of 54 suspects arraigned.
This brings to a total of 785 cases involving terrorism financing and other terrorism-related offences, reflecting the country’s intensified efforts to combat violent extremism, dismantle funding networks, and strengthen national security through judicial enforcement.
“The remaining 10 cases were adjourned during proceedings held across four courts, presided over by four Federal High Court justices”, NCTC stated in a press statement shared with Defence Correspondents weekend.
The verdicts delivered from the trials resulted in prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years, all to be served with hard labour, underscoring the severity of the crimes and the Nigerian justice system’s resolve to uphold accountability and deter future transgressions.
We reported that trials commenced on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, with an opening ceremony during which the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Adamu Garba LAKA, delivered remarks on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
In the statement issued by the Head, Department of Strategic Communication
NCTC-ONSA, Abu, I. Michael, “the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar.
He noted that both officials reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to justice and its determination to confront terrorism through lawful and transparent means.
The government said the conviction is its continued bolstering the criminal justice system.
Recall that during the Phase 6 trials, 237 cases were heard, resulting in 200 convictions. The convicted terrorists received a range of sentences based on the severity of their crimes, from the death penalty and life imprisonment to prison terms of 20 to 70 years.
Their offences included heinous acts such as attacks on women and children, the destruction of religious sites, the killing of civilians, and the abduction of women and children during a brutal assault on the Gina Kara Kai community in Borno State.
