Nearly 400 individuals in Nigeria have been sentenced to prison for their connections to militant Islamic groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The mass trials, held in the federal high court in Abuja, saw 386 convictions out of over 500 suspects. Sentences range from five years to life imprisonment.
These convictions come as Nigeria grapples with widespread insecurity, facing multiple armed groups. Boko Haram's insurgency, which began in 2009, has caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions. The US has recently advised its citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to the deteriorating security situation.
Charges included direct participation in attacks, as well as providing funding, arms, or logistical support to the militant organizations. Some defendants pleaded guilty to charges such as supplying livestock, food, and information to the groups.