by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
ABUJA (Worthy News) – Hundreds of militants have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms on terrorism charges in Nigeria’s largest such trial in recent memory, as fresh reports emerge of deadly attacks impacting civilian communities, observers said Thursday.
About 500 suspects were brought before a federal court in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, where a panel of 10 judges determined their fate, Worthy News learned.
“Many of the accused submitted guilty pleas. In the end, 386 individuals were convicted, receiving sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment,” advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) said.
More than 100 additional cases were adjourned, indicating the judicial process is ongoing.
MASS TRIAL
Those convicted were identified as affiliates of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) or Boko Haram—groups linked to years of insurgency and violence, particularly in northern Nigeria.
“For years, members of these militant groups have committed acts of violence that have destabilized entire regions,” VOMC told Worthy News.
Nigeria’s government maintains that religion is not a primary factor in the violence. However, human rights investigators and Christian organizations say churches and predominantly Christian communities have been disproportionately affected.
“Groups seeking to establish an Islamic state consider Christianity a significant obstacle to their goals,” VOMC added.
CENTRAL VIOLENCE
The trial developments come amid renewed reports of killings in Plateau State, in Nigeria’s central region.
Among the victims was Reverend Ayuba Choji of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), who was killed alongside his wife and two children during an early morning attack on April 27 in Gako village, Riyom Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that armed attackers stormed the family’s home and opened fire before fleeing. Security forces reportedly arrived after the assailants had escaped.
The killings highlight ongoing violence affecting communities in Plateau State, where residents report repeated attacks.
SURVIVOR ACCOUNT
One survivor, Lisa Stephen, said she is among hundreds of women widowed in recent incidents.
Her account was documented in a video released by Britain’s Channel 4 News.
She recalled how armed men entered her home at night and attacked her family, killing her husband and seriously injuring others.
According to her testimony, the attackers forced their way into the house after breaking through the door.
WAVE OF ATTACKS
“They shot him and then stabbed him repeatedly,” she said of her husband.
Her children were also injured, with one receiving hospital treatment.
Stephen herself was wounded while trying to protect her family.
Her account reflects what residents describe as a broader pattern of nighttime raids across the region.
TARGETING DEBATE
Across Plateau State, residents report repeated assaults by armed groups, leaving homes destroyed and families displaced.
Local leaders say many women have been widowed and communities destabilized.
In this predominantly Christian region, residents increasingly believe they are being targeted because of their faith.
However, Nigerian authorities deny that the violence is religiously motivated, attributing it to criminal activity and long-standing disputes over land and resources between farming communities and nomadic herders.
PERSECUTION RANKING
Nigeria ranks seventh on the annual World Watch List compiled by advocacy group Open Doors, which monitors the persecution of Christians worldwide.
The ranking reflects ongoing insurgency in the north, violence in central regions, and what observers describe as insufficient protection for vulnerable communities.
Analysts say weak law enforcement, impunity, and deep-rooted tensions have contributed to the crisis.
While some violence is linked to disputes over land and grazing routes, rights groups say extremist ideology remains a significant factor.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently visited Plateau State and pledged to end the violence.
He said additional security forces would be deployed to restore order and prevent further attacks.
However, residents and survivors remain skeptical after years of recurring violence.
Observers say lasting stability will depend on accountability and addressing underlying causes.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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