742 terrorists convicted since 2017 -FG

By Paul Dada

The Federal Government  says 742 among the 1,743 terrorism suspects it has subjected to trial since 2017, have so far been convicted.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, however, said 888 of the  suspects were acquitted and discharged.

Adding, he said 92 trials had been adjourned to future  dates.

“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 9 were adjourned.

“In December 2023, 14 were convicted; 1 was acquitted; 10 were adjourned. In July 2024, 125 were convicted; none were acquitted, and 21 cases were adjourned. In December 2024, 237 were convicted; none were 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,” he said.

Also speaking was the Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa. He said suspects eligible for deradicalisation  must be those not found to have  been guilty of any offence.

He stated, “So if there is evidence and you go through the trial and are convicted, you serve your sentence. The whole process of Operation Safe Corridor and the DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilization, 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.”