Nigeria is currently ranked as the third most dangerous country behind Afghanistan and Iraq in the Global Terrorism Index due largely to terrorist related activities, particularly in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. As of January 2024, Genocide Watch reported that between 2009 and late 2023, the Boko Haram terror group was responsible for the death of over 40,000 civilians, including indirect deaths, which may total about 350,000 more than ISIS killed in Iraq and Syria combined. This has led to a large-scale displacement of families, sexual assault of women and children, which has severely impacted Nigeria’s local, state, and national socioeconomic fabric.
While the government at the national and the states has been coordinating effort to end this scourge, reports shows there has been a 261% rise in deaths from other acts categorised as terrorism particularly from extremist actors such as militant pastoralists and nationalists which has also extended to the North West and Central States of Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Plateau, and Benue.
In 2024, the Federal Government allocated a whopping N3.25 trillion ($5.13 billion) to the defence and security sector, the largest allocation, which represents 13.38% of the 2024 total budget and 37.99% more than the N2.79 Trillion allocated to the sector in 2023. Despite this growing budgetary allocation to this sector, challenges persist. In the same year, public policy think tank Nextier reported that Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents had killed 109 as of July 2024.
While these terrorist related activities continue to spread to other parts of the country and have become a threat to national security, peace, and development, the Nigerian government is actively working to bring perpetrators to justice and restore peace and stability. Through National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Federal High Court justices in collaboration with other international development partners such as United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been engaged in recent Kainji Terrorism Hearings called the ‘Kainji Trial’. These trials aim to prosecute suspected terrorists through a transparent and law-based approach. In 2020, the BBC reported that 1,670 people had been tried, with a further 5,000 people awaiting trial. In 2025, during the launch of phase 7, Nigeria secured convictions for 44 out of 54 terrorism suspects in the Kainji Detention Facility trial.
Despite the government making significant progress in combating terrorism and thus ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, human rights groups continue to raise concerns about the lack of transparency in what has been described as the biggest terrorism trial in Nigeria's history. Amnesty International further reported that 1,600 suspects are being held at the centre, where many have spent years without trial. International Organisation for Peace Building and Social Justice, PSJUK, has been working over the years to suggest and recommend bold, practical policy solutions and recommendations to address terrorism and insecurity in the northeast.
The Kainji trial has been largely described as a success in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. Still, critical questions around entitlement to justice for perpetrators of crimes under international law remain unanswered.
By Eunice Chukwuma
Eunice is a development communications professional with an interest in social justice, equity and governance. She’s a social impact advocate using effective communication and storytelling to promote social justice for vulnerable communities and their engagement in governance processes. She also volunteers with PSJ UK, contributing to its mission of amplifying the voices of the persecuted and promoting justice across sub-Saharan Africa.
Click https://www.psjuk.org/volunteers to volunteer with PSJUK and join in with efforts to build a peaceful, secure, safe and prosperous Nigeria for all.
