FG Moves to Clear Terrorism Case Backlog, Fast-Tracks Trial of 5,000 Suspects

 

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to tackle terrorism by accelerating the prosecution of about 5,000 suspects currently held in pre-trial detention across the country.

The move, aimed at clearing a growing backlog of terrorism-related cases, is contained in the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), obtained on Wednesday.

According to the document, the large number of detainees has strained the justice system, prompting a coordinated review of case files by the NCTC legal team in collaboration with the Defence Headquarters and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The review is designed to fast-track cases with sufficient evidence while discontinuing charges that cannot be substantiated.

“At present, there are approximately 5,000 individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism-related offences who are being held in pre-trial detention. This has resulted in a significant backlog of cases,” the document stated.

It added that the review process is helping to either expedite prosecutions or dismiss weak cases to ensure justice and decongest detention facilities.

The NCTC also disclosed that it has been coordinating terrorism trials at the Federal High Court sittings in Wawa Military Cantonment, Kainji, Niger State, as well as in Abuja.

In 2024 alone, 393 terrorism-related cases were prosecuted under this framework, resulting in 329 convictions. This pushed Nigeria’s conviction rate in terrorism cases to 84 per cent, a sharp rise from 41.5 per cent recorded in 2018.

The document further revealed that charges against about 1,200 detainees were reviewed and dismissed, leading to their release and reintegration into their communities.

As part of renewed counter-terrorism efforts, the Federal Government plans to introduce DNA profiling into a proposed National Database on Terrorism. The database, to be domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), will serve as a central repository of biometric and intelligence data on known and suspected terrorists.

The NCTC said the database would enhance investigations, prosecutions and intelligence-sharing among security agencies, particularly in tracking repeat offenders, foreign terrorist fighters and transnational networks.

The strategic plan also highlighted the role of the NCTC’s National Operations Centre, a technology-driven hub providing real-time intelligence, situational awareness and command-and-control support for multi-agency counter-terrorism operations.

Meanwhile, the military has intensified operations against bandit leaders in the North-West. The Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General Warrah Idris, said notorious bandit leader Bello Turji is under sustained pressure and “in panic” due to coordinated ground offensives and intelligence-led surveillance.

Idris dismissed claims that Turji controls any local government area, describing such reports as propaganda, and assured that security forces are actively pursuing Turji and other armed group leaders across the region.

He also debunked reports of a planned release of 70 bandits by the Katsina State government, describing them as false.

In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of suspects linked to Turji following their failure to appear for trial. Justice Emeka Nwite ordered their arrest and adjourned the case to February 24.

The Federal Government has also earmarked N204.51 billion for security operations in the 2026 Appropriation Bill to support counter-insurgency and internal security efforts nationwide.