742 Terrorists Convicted Since 2017— FG – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

 The Federal Government has so far secured the conviction of 742 terrorists, 888 others acquitted and 92 facing trial since 2017, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko, said on Mon­day in Abuja.

Terrorism had since 2010, esca­lated with a major attack at Eagle Square on October 1. Subsequent terror attacks by Boko Haram had occurred at the UN building and the police headquarters in Abuja, among others.

Babadoko gave updates on ter­rorism trials at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja on Monday.

Presenting the counter-terrorism efforts before newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Babadoko said, “In October 2017, 50 were convicted; 203 were discharged/acquitted; 28 were ad­journed. In February 2018, 203 were convicted, 582 were discharged/ acquitted and 24 were adjourned. In July 2018, 113 were convicted, 102 were discharged/acquitted, and nine were adjourned.

“In December 2023, 14 were con­victed; one was acquitted; 10 were adjourned. In July 2024, 125 were convicted; none was acquitted, and 21 cases were adjourned. In December 2024, 237 were convicted; none was ac­quitted and no cases were adjourned.

“Some of these cases involve acts of terrorism, terrorism financ­ing, and other criminal activities, for which some defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 60 years to life impris­onment.

“It’s important to note that within the last year, during this administra­tion, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 individuals—whom we call clients, those who have served terms or were discharged/acquitted at various stages of trial—were moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe for rehabilitation and re­integration, in accordance with the orders of the court and the policy of the Federal Government.”

On his part, the National Coordi­nator of the National Counter-Ter­rorism Centre, Major Gen. Adamu Laka, said a team of relevant stake­holders, drawn from different MDAs, were involved in the mass trial.

“These included judges of the Federal High Court, prosecutors, defence counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, staff of the Of­fice of the National Security Advis­er, observers from the Nigerian Bar Association and the press”, he added.

Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, however, explained that “the whole process of Operation Safe Corridor and the DDRR (Disarmament, Demo­bilisation, Reintegration and Rehabil­itation) is for those whom the court has found not suitable for prison.

“This is important information that should be widely known across the country. The media should help in spreading this message. The DDRR process includes psychological evalu­ations, family reunifications, mental health support, and economic inter­vention.

“If there is evidence and you go through the trial and are convicted, you serve your sentence”, he added.