Nigerian courts convicted 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants and financiers of a series of terrorism-related offenses in a mass trial this week, according to the attorney-general’s office. The convictions come as the Boko Haram insurgency continues to cause widespread devastation in northeastern Nigeria, killing thousands and displacing millions since its inception in 2009.
Kamarudeen Ogundele, spokesman for the Attorney-General’s office, stated in a statement late Friday that the convicted individuals faced charges related to terrorism, financing terrorism, providing material support to the group, and crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This recent wave of convictions follows previous mass trials conducted between 2017 and 2018, resulting in the conviction of 163 individuals and the release of 887.
Ogundele further explained that 400 defendants who had completed their sentences were transferred to a rehabilitation center known as Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State, northeast Nigeria. This center focuses on rehabilitation, deradicalization, and eventual reintegration into society for former Boko Haram members.
The brutal insurgency has left an indelible mark on Nigeria, with one of the most infamous incidents being the kidnapping of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok in April 2014. This attack sparked global outrage and led to the widespread “#Bring Back Our Girls” campaign. While over half of the kidnapped girls have since returned, many have done so as mothers of multiple children, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of Boko Haram’s actions.
The latest convictions, which include 85 individuals for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, and the remaining for terrorism, underscore the ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to combat the insurgency. However, the challenge remains significant, as Boko Haram continues to operate in remote areas of the northeast, posing a threat to the stability and security of the region.
