The United States (US) has praised Nigeria’s recent push to fast-track terrorism prosecutions, following the conviction of hundreds of suspects in what officials describe as one of the largest coordinated judicial efforts in the country’s history.
In a statement shared on Sunday, Massad Boulos commended the Nigerian government for addressing long-standing delays in terrorism-related cases, noting that the development reflects a growing commitment to justice and accountability.
“The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes. We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts,” the statement reads.
“We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions. Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, and long-term security of all Nigerians.”
The commendation follows disclosures by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, who revealed on Friday that the government secured 386 convictions from 508 terrorism-related cases prosecuted across the country.
The large-scale trials are part of efforts to clear a backlog of cases that had stalled in the courts for years, raising concerns about delays in delivering justice for terrorism offences.
The latest judicial progress also coincides with renewed enforcement actions targeting terrorism financing networks. Over the weekend, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee published a list of 48 individuals and organisations allegedly linked to funding extremist activities.
Among those named were Simon Ekpa and Tukur Mamu, alongside banned groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ansarul Sudan, and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Recent court rulings have further underscored the government’s intensified legal response. In November 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after a terrorism conviction. Similarly, on April 7, another Federal High Court in Abuja handed varying prison terms to four individuals found guilty of supplying materials to Boko Haram operatives in Borno State.
