A Nigerian court has convicted 125 Boko Haram militants and financiers on various terrorism-related charges. According to the Attorney General’s office, the convictions include charges of terrorism, terrorism financing, material support for terrorism, and International Criminal Court-related crimes.
The two-day trial was conducted by five Federal High Court judges at a military detention facility in Kanji, Niger State. Boko Haram’s insurgency, which began in 2009, has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions, creating a severe humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria.
Of those convicted, 85 were found guilty of terrorism financing, 22 of ICC-related crimes, and the rest for terrorism offenses, receiving various prison sentences.
The last major trials of Boko Haram suspects occurred between 2017 and 2018, resulting in 163 convictions and 887 acquittals. The 2014 kidnapping of over 270 girls from Chibok by Boko Haram drew global attention, including the #BringBackOurGirls campaign supported by former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama. While more than 180 girls have since been freed or escaped, many remain missing, and those who have returned face ongoing challenges in their communities.