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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Nigeria Vows to Fight Terrorism with 'Every Inch of Blood,' Launches New Trials

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Nigeria's Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, affirmed the government's commitment to prosecuting suspected terrorists.
  • The current phase involves trials for nearly 600 suspects, marking the fourth such phase under the current administration.
  • Fagbemi stated the government will "fight with every inch of our blood" to ensure Nigeria's safety and combat terrorism.

Nigeria's Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has declared the government's unwavering resolve to combat terrorism through rigorous prosecution of suspects. Speaking at the commencement of a new phase of terrorism trials in Abuja, Fagbemi emphasized that the administration is treating the issue with utmost seriousness.

The message is clear, direct and straightforward. It is that the present administration is not taking the issue of terrorism with levity. And that is why you see ongoing trials.

— Lateef FagbemiExplaining the government's stance on terrorism during the commencement of new trials.

This latest round of proceedings represents the fourth phase of terrorism trials initiated by the current government. Fagbemi conveyed a clear message: "Terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated." He pledged that the administration would "fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody."

Since the inception of this administration, this is about the fourth phase that we are undertaking. So the message is that let everybody know that terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated.

— Lateef FagbemiHighlighting the ongoing commitment to prosecuting terrorists.

The current phase of trials is set to handle over 600 suspects facing terrorism-related charges. Fagbemi provided a breakdown, indicating approximately 490 cases on the first day, followed by 84, excluding 102 carried over from the previous phase. Judges have reportedly assured the court of their commitment to processing these cases efficiently.

We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody.

— Lateef FagbemiPledging the government's determination to ensure national safety.

These mass trials are a component of the Federal Government's broader strategy to address insecurity across the nation by prosecuting individuals accused of terrorism, insurgency, and related offenses. The government aims to dismantle terrorist networks and restore safety and stability.

For this phase, the ones we have today, we have about 490. Tomorrow we will have 84. But this 84 does not include the 102 that was brought forward from the last phase. So in total, we have 600 plus to contend with for this phase, and we have been assured by the honourable judges that they will do their utmost to ensure that they clear this number for this phase.

— Lateef FagbemiProviding figures for the suspects being tried in the current phase.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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