ONSA: FG Secures 1,721 Terrorism Convictions Through Mass Trial Programme

Nigeria's Federal Government announced it has achieved 1,721 terrorism convictions through its ongoing Mass Trial Programme, which began in October 2017. The program, a collaborative effort involving the ONSA, Federal Ministry of Justice, Judiciary, and various security agencies, has successfully concluded 10 phases of terrorism trials. Mr. Zakari Mijinyawa, Director of Legal Services at ONSA, stated during a joint security briefing that the initiative adheres to due process, discharging or acquitting defendants when evidence does not establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Early phases (2017-2018) yielded 366 convictions, while later phases (2023-2025) resulted in 490 convictions, including cases of terrorism financing and gender-based violence. The most recent phases in 2026 secured 865 convictions, surpassing the total from the previous nine years. In parallel, the Defence Headquarters reported significant gains in counter-terrorism operations. Between January and June, the military neutralized 1,597 terrorists and insurgents while rescuing 1,516 kidnapped victims across 14,221 operations nationwide. These efforts, involving coordinated land, air, and maritime missions, also led to the recovery of substantial arms and ammunition, denying criminal groups the means to operate. Major security flashpoints in numerous states were targeted through intelligence-driven operations, clearance missions, and rescue operations, disrupting criminal activities and enhancing community security.

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The 2026 convictions exceeded the combined total of 856 convictions secured during the preceding nine years of the programme.