Nigerian Govt Secured 860 Convictions in Terrorism Trials Since 2017, AGF Tells US Lawmakers
The Federal Government has secured 860 convictions in terrorism trials between 2017 and 2025, while also recording 891 discharges of suspects in the same period.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed this while addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with a U.S. Congressman and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr..
The AGF insisted that concerted efforts are being made to tackle terrorism and all forms of violent extremism across the country.
Security Challenges Not Religious
Fagbemi used the opportunity to address external concerns regarding the nature of Nigeria’s security challenges, stating emphatically that they are “not religious in nature”.
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The AGF’s meeting with the U.S. delegation was aimed at presenting the Federal Government’s perspective on insecurity and allowing the visiting U.S. lawmaker to assess the situation firsthand. The U.S. President Donald Trump, had in October, declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.
Due Process and Rule of Law
Fagbemi stressed that the figures—860 convictions and 891 discharges—reflect the government’s commitment to the rule of law in handling cases of extremism.
“They are profiled, those who have nothing to do with it are let off the hook while those we believe we have cases against, we take them to court and it is for the court to decide,” the AGF explained, adding that the Federal Government abides by all court decisions, whether convictions or acquittals.
The Minister also urged the public to avoid exaggerating the security situation in the country.
By PRNigeria
