US commends Nigeria over conviction of 386 terrorism suspects in mass trials

The United States has commended Nigeria for securing 386 convictions in terrorism-related mass trials, describing the development as a significant step towards strengthening accountability and confronting extremism.

Massad Boulos, the US senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, made the commendation in a statement published on X on Sunday. “The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes,” he said.

“We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions.”

Read Also: US announces blockade of Iranian ports after Islamabad talks collapse

The convictions were disclosed on Friday by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, who said the federal government had secured 386 convictions out of 508 terrorism-related cases brought before the courts — one of the largest coordinated efforts by Nigerian authorities to clear a backlog of cases that had lingered in the judicial system for years.

The mass trials are also part of a wider tightening of enforcement against terrorism financing and extremist networks. On Saturday, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee released a list of 48 individuals and entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing, including separatist leader Simon Ekpa, Kaduna-based publisher Tukur Mamu, and proscribed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ansarul Sudan, and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

The push follows a series of high-profile convictions in recent months. In November 2025, IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by a federal high court in Abuja after being convicted of terrorism. On 7th April, four persons were convicted and sentenced to varying prison terms for supplying items to Boko Haram fighters in Borno State.