The Federal Government has intensified its counter-terrorism campaign with plans to fast-track the prosecution of about 5,000 suspected insurgents currently in detention across the country.

The move, aimed at clearing a huge backlog of terrorism-related cases, is contained in the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

According to the document, legal teams drawn from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Defence Headquarters and other relevant agencies have begun an extensive review of case files to determine matters that can be accelerated for trial as well as those lacking sufficient evidence.

The government said the initiative would ensure that suspects are prosecuted within the ambit of the law while safeguarding human rights and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

It noted that prolonged pre-trial detention had remained a major challenge in terrorism cases, stressing that the current effort was designed to balance national security imperatives with the rule of law.

The NCTC disclosed that in 2024 alone, a total of 393 terrorism cases were prosecuted nationwide, leading to 329 convictions, representing an 84 per cent conviction rate — a significant improvement compared with previous years.

The review process also led to the dismissal of charges against about 1,200 detainees due to insufficient evidence, after which they were released and reintegrated into their communities in line with extant regulations.

As part of broader reforms, the Federal Government said it was working towards establishing a national terrorism database, which would include biometric and DNA records of suspects to enhance investigation, intelligence sharing and prosecution.

The database, to be domiciled at ONSA, is expected to improve coordination among security agencies and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to track and disrupt terrorist networks.

Trials are expected to be conducted at designated Federal High Courts, including special court sittings in Abuja and at the Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, to hasten the adjudication process.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that victims of terrorism get justice, while suspects are given fair trials in accordance with the law, describing the fast-track initiative as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s evolving counter-terrorism strategy.

Officials expressed optimism that the exercise would not only decongest detention facilities but also reinforce the country’s resolve to combat insurgency through lawful and transparent means.