The Federal Government says it has secured 1,721 convictions for terrorism and related offences since the launch of its Mass Trial Programme in October 2017, describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria's criminal justice system while ensuring fairness and due process.
The Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint briefing by security, defence and law enforcement agencies in Abuja.
According to him, the programme is being coordinated by ONSA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, security agencies and international partners.
He explained that 10 phases of terrorism trials have been concluded since the programme began.
Mijinyawa noted that the initiative is not solely focused on securing convictions but also ensures justice for defendants where evidence is insufficient.
He said suspects against whom prosecutors failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt were discharged or acquitted, demonstrating the government's commitment to the rule of law and fair trial.
He revealed that the first three phases of the trials, held between 2017 and 2018, produced 366 convictions, while later phases recorded even higher figures.
According to him, the biggest breakthrough came in 2026, when the ninth and tenth phases of the trials secured 865 convictions, accounting for more than half of all convictions recorded under the programme since its inception.
He described the achievement as a significant milestone in Nigeria's fight against terrorism.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters said troops intensified operations across the country between January and June 2026, leading to the neutralisation of 1,597 terrorists and other criminal elements.
The military also rescued 1,516 kidnapped victims and carried out 14,221 operations across several states.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, represented by Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said troops recovered 451 firearms, over 16,700 rounds of ammunition, 161 explosive devices and improvised explosive devices, significantly weakening criminal groups.
He added that operations covered major security hotspots, including Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba and Oyo states.
According to the military, hundreds of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters were killed or arrested, while several insurgents voluntarily surrendered.
The Armed Forces also expanded civil-military engagement through peacebuilding initiatives, community sensitisation campaigns and meetings with traditional and religious leaders.
The Nigeria Police Force also highlighted successes recorded during the period.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Iniedu Okokon, said police operatives arrested 50 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery, recovering several rifles, an anti-aircraft launcher and ammunition.
He added that police dismantled a 33-member criminal network involved in terrorism and cattle rustling in Kwara State and arrested suspects connected to the killing of three police officers in Taraba State.
Okokon further disclosed that officers rescued a kidnapped woman and her 12-year-old twin sons after a successful operation that led to the killing of two suspected kidnappers.
He also said improved border security resulted in the interception of ammunition along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and the recovery of about 60 tonnes of vandalised railway materials worth approximately ₦400 million.
The Federal Government said it remains committed to strengthening security operations while ensuring that terrorism suspects are prosecuted in line with constitutional and international legal standards.
