The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has concluded the 11th phase of terrorism trials, securing 791 fresh convictions and increasing Nigeria's cumulative convictions from 11 phases to 2,512. This was disclosed by the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, at a press briefing in Abuja.
The 11th phase of trials, which took place at the Federal High Court in Abuja between October 15-17 and 22-24, 2026, handled a total of 1,069 terrorism-related cases across 10 courts. The breakdown of outcomes shows 791 convictions, 7 acquittals, 41 discharges, 4 cases struck out, 3 cases withdrawn, 211 cases adjourned, 11 cases pending, and one case recorded under another category.
One significant outcome of the 11th phase was the conviction and death sentence of Suleiman Abu, a Boko Haram member found guilty of participating in terrorist attacks on military facilities and civilians, resulting in deaths and serious injuries. The National Coordinator emphasized that the judgment demonstrates Nigeria's commitment to addressing terrorism and holding perpetrators accountable under the law.
The NCTC also reported progress in disrupting terrorism financing, with 201 terrorism-financing cases handled by the courts. The Centre stressed that financial networks, facilitators, and recruiters who provide resources for terrorism remain a crucial aspect of sustaining terrorist activities.
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening cooperation among investigative, prosecutorial, financial intelligence, and other relevant institutions to combat terrorism. The NCTC emphasized that convictions, acquittals, and discharges are all part of a credible justice system, and that counter-terrorism efforts aim to ensure fair determination in accordance with the law.
The Centre paid tribute to victims and survivors of terrorism, including civilians killed, military and security personnel who lost their lives, and families affected by displacement, trauma, and lost livelihoods. The NCTC also called for enhanced protection for witnesses, who may face intimidation and reprisals due to their testimony.
The NCTC commended various stakeholders, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justices, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and security agencies, for their roles in the phased trials. The Centre also thanked President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for their sustained commitment and leadership in supporting the counter-terrorism prosecution strategy.
Key points
- 791 convictions were secured in the 11th phase of terrorism trials.
- The cumulative total of convictions from 11 phases is 2,512.
- The NCTC has handled 201 terrorism-financing cases in the 11th phase.
