The United States has commended Nigeria for speeding up the prosecution of terrorism cases, following the conviction of 386 suspects in recent mass trials.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Massad Boulos, US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, described the development as a major step towards strengthening justice and accountability in Nigeria’s fight against extremism.
“The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes. We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts,” the statement reads.
“We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions. Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, and long-term security of all Nigerians.”
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had disclosed on Friday that the government secured 386 convictions out of 508 terrorism-related cases.
The trials form part of efforts to clear a long-standing backlog of terrorism cases, many of which had stalled for years due to slow judicial processes and logistical challenges.
The development comes as authorities intensify efforts to tackle terrorism financing and dismantle extremist networks.
On Saturday, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee released a list of 48 individuals and entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing.
In recent months, Nigerian courts have stepped up convictions in high-profile cases. In November 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment for terrorism-related offences.
On 7 April 2026, four persons were also jailed for supplying materials to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
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