The Federal Government has secured 1,721 terrorism-related convictions since the launch of its Mass Trial Programme in October 2017, according to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Mass Trial Programme details
Zakari Mijinyawa, Director of Legal Services at ONSA, disclosed this on Thursday, July 2, during a joint security briefing by spokespersons of defence, security and law enforcement agencies in Abuja. The programme, coordinated by ONSA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and security agencies, has completed 10 phases of terrorism trials aimed at ensuring accountability while upholding the rule of law.
Mijinyawa said the first three phases, conducted between 2017 and 2018, recorded 366 convictions, 882 discharges, five acquittals and 61 adjourned cases. Phases four to eight, held between 2023 and 2025, produced 490 convictions, including cases involving terrorism financing, international crimes, and sexual and gender-based violence.
2026 convictions surpass previous total
Phases nine and 10, conducted in 2026, resulted in 865 convictions, accounting for more than half of all terrorism-related convictions recorded under the programme since its inception. Mijinyawa noted that the 865 convictions secured this year alone exceeded the combined total of 856 convictions recorded during the previous nine years of the programme.
He added that the programme has also discharged or acquitted defendants in cases where evidence failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, demonstrating the government's commitment to due process and fair trial standards. He reaffirmed the Federal Government's determination to continue prosecuting terrorism-related offences while safeguarding constitutional rights and the principles of justice.
Military operations: January to June 2026
At the briefing, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops neutralised 1,597 terrorists and other criminal elements, rescued 1,516 kidnapped victims and carried out 14,221 operations across the country between January and June 2026. The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, represented by Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, said the operations involved coordinated land, air and maritime missions across multiple theatres.
Troops recovered 451 firearms, 16,726 rounds of ammunition, 161 explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), significantly degrading the operational capabilities of criminal groups. Military operations covered major security flashpoints in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna states.
Key results and peacebuilding efforts
Intelligence-led operations, clearance missions, targeted raids and rescue efforts disrupted terrorist and criminal activities while improving security in affected communities. Troops rescued 261 kidnapped victims from terrorist enclaves, neutralised 412 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, arrested 332 suspected terrorists and recovered weapons, motorcycles and livestock. Sustained military operations forced 132 Boko Haram and ISWAP members to surrender, while troops safely detonated 31 improvised explosive devices during the review period.
Beyond combat operations, the Armed Forces implemented 33 peacebuilding initiatives, conducted 13 public sensitisation campaigns and held 33 stakeholder engagements involving traditional and religious leaders. The military also issued 593 press releases, countered 15 cases of misinformation and released 10 public advisories to strengthen strategic communication and public awareness.
Police operations and arrests
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Iniedu Okokon, said the Nigeria Police Force dismantled several criminal networks and strengthened intelligence-led policing across the country during the first half of the year. Police operations led to the arrest of thousands of criminal suspects, the rescue of kidnapped victims and the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other exhibits nationwide.
The Force Intelligence Department's Intelligence Response Team arrested 50 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery, recovering 17 rifles, an anti-aircraft launcher and 111 rounds of ammunition. The police also dismantled a 33-member criminal network involved in terrorism, cattle rustling and violent attacks in Kwara State, while suspects connected to the killing of three police officers in Taraba State were arrested.
Rescue operations and border security
Operatives rescued a kidnapped woman and her 12-year-old twin sons during an operation on June 6, neutralised two suspected kidnappers and recovered two firearms. Enhanced border security resulted in the interception of 181 rounds of ammunition along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, while collaboration with INTERPOL was strengthened to combat transnational organised crime. The police spokesman also said operatives dismantled a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered about 60 tonnes of stolen railway materials valued at approximately N400 million.
