Nigeria Sentences 44 To Hard Labour For Financing Boko Haram.
In a significant step in the fight against terrorism, 44 individuals have been sentenced to up to 30 years of hard labour for financing the jihadist militant group Boko Haram, Nigeria’s counter-terrorism agency announced on Saturday, 12 July 2025. The trials, conducted at specially constituted courts on a military base in Kanji, located in the central state of Niger, underscore Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to curb the financing of terrorist activities.
The sentences, ranging from 10 to 30 years, were handed down following mass trials that have been ongoing since 2017. According to official sources, these efforts have led to 785 convictions for terrorism-related offences to date. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed that all 44 defendants will serve their sentences with hard labour. Additionally, the trials of 10 other individuals have been postponed, with no further details provided on the reasons for the delay.
Boko Haram, a strict Wahhabi group opposing the Westernisation of Nigeria, which it blames for the country’s corruption, has waged a violent insurgency since 2002. Originating in northeastern Nigeria, the group’s campaign of terror has spread to neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.
The group’s tactics have included suicide bombings, armed assaults, and high-profile attacks, such as the 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja. One of its most notorious acts was the 2014 kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, which drew global outrage. That same year, Boko Haram burned down a government college, killing dozens of schoolboys trapped inside, further highlighting the group’s brutality.
The recent convictions are part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to dismantle the financial networks supporting Boko Haram’s operations. The trials, held in secure military facilities, reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the complex challenge of terrorism financing. By targeting those who fund the group’s activities, authorities aim to weaken its ability to carry out further attacks.
“This sentencing sends a strong message that financing terrorism will not be tolerated,” said a spokesperson for the counter-terrorism agency. “We are committed to pursuing justice and ensuring the safety of our citizens.”
Despite these efforts, Boko Haram remains a significant threat, with its activities continuing to destabilise the region. The postponement of trials for 10 other suspects suggests that the judicial process is ongoing, with further convictions likely in the future. Nigeria’s counter-terrorism agency has vowed to continue its mass trial programme to address the backlog of terrorism-related cases.
The international community has closely followed Nigeria’s efforts, with the sentencing seen as a critical step in curbing the influence of Boko Haram. However, the group’s ability to operate across borders and its deep-rooted presence in the region indicate that the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and beyond remains far from over.
