386 terrorist suspects convicted in mass trial, FG sends strong warning

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted no fewer than 386 terrorist suspects following a mass trial conducted over four days, in what the federal government described as a decisive move against insurgency and related crimes.

The sentences, handed down between Tuesday and Friday, saw the defendants given varying prison terms ranging from five years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offences.

Nigeria’s federal government said the large-scale prosecution underlines its determination to crack down on terrorism and sends a clear message that criminality will not be tolerated.

Confirming the development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, revealed that a total of 508 suspects were arraigned before 10 courts during the operation.

He added that while 386 suspects were convicted, eight were discharged and two acquitted.

Fagbemi noted that 112 defendants whose cases did not conclude during the period will be tried in the next phase scheduled from June 15 to 18, 2026.

He said: “The mass trial and subsequent convictions send a strong signal that Nigeria has no space for heinous crimes such as terrorism.”

Former politician jailed for aiding terrorists
In a related context, the court sentenced a former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, to 10 years in prison for aiding terrorists.

Habeeb was sentenced by Judge Peter Odo Lifu on charges of providing material support to members of the rebel group Boko Haram.

The convict, a Maiduguri-based fuel trader, had pleaded guilty to selling petroleum products to insurgents operating in the north-east.

During the proceedings, Habeeb appealed for leniency, citing family responsibilities and prolonged detention of more than a decade without contact with relatives.

However, the prosecution lawyer, David Kaswe, opposed the request, arguing that the support provided to

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