The Federal Government has so far secured 1,721 terrorism-related convictions through mass trial terrorists since the programme began in 2017.

The coordinated initiative involved the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, security and law enforcement agencies, and international partners.

The Director Legal Services, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, disclosed this Thursday during a Joint Security Press Briefing by spokespersons of security, defence, and law enforcement agencies.

Ten phases of the mass trials have been successfully conducted, resulting in the 1,721 convictions for terrorism and related offences.

The trial ensured that defendants against whom the prosecution could not establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt were discharged or acquitted, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to due process, the rule of law, and fair trial standards.

Phase one to phase three (2017–2018) were conducted at Wawa Cantonment, Kainji, resulting in 366 convictions, 882 discharges, five acquittals, while 61 cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.

Mijinyawa said that the most significant progress was achieved in 2026 during phases nine and 10, conducted at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

He said the courts secured 865 convictions, comprising 386 convictions in phase nine and 479 convictions, in phase 10, 28 were discharged, one acquittal, and 224 cases adjourned for continuation of trial.

Mijinyawa said in 2023 during the phase four 14 convictions were recorded, adding that phases five and six in 2024 resulted in 351 convictions, including convictions for terrorism financing, international crimes, and sexual and gender-based violence.

“During the same period, eight defendants were discharged, while three defendants were referred for medical or mental health evaluation.

“Phases seven and eight (2025) recorded a further 125 conviction. Overall, since the inception of the programme in 2017, the mass trial programme has recorded 1,721 convictions for terrorism and related offences.

“Convictions for terrorism financing, international crimes, and sexual and gender-based violence, where supported by the evidence, the discharge or acquittal of defendants where the prosecution failed to satisfy the required legal standard; and the continued prosecution of pending cases in accordance with court orders.

“A notable milestone of the programme is that the 865 convictions secured in 2026 account for more than half (50.3%) of all terrorism-related convictions recorded since the programme commenced in 2017. This also exceeds the combined total of 856 convictions secured during the preceding nine years (2017–2025).

“The sustained implementation of the mass trial programme underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring accountability for terrorism-related offences while upholding constitutional guarantees of fair trial, due process, and the rule of law,” he said.