Nigeria Convicts 125 Boko Haram Insurgents in Mass Trial

This week, Nigerian courts convicted 125 Boko Haram militants and financiers of various terrorism-related offences in a significant mass trial, according to the attorney-general's office. The convictions included charges of terrorism, financing terrorism, providing material support, and crimes related to the International Criminal Court (ICC), stated Kamarudeen Ogundele, the spokesman for the Attorney-General's office.

Boko Haram's insurgency, which began in 2009, has led to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, causing a severe humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria. The government has been under pressure to resolve the conflict.

In previous mass trials between 2017 and 2018, 163 individuals were convicted, while 887 were acquitted. Of those previously convicted, 400 have completed their sentences and were transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and reintegration.

The insurgency drew global attention in April 2014 when Boko Haram kidnapped over 270 girls from a school in Chibok, prompting the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Though more than half of the girls have returned, many are now mothers of multiple children.

In the latest convictions, 85 individuals were found guilty of financing terrorism, 22 of ICC-related crimes, and the remainder for other terrorism-related offences.