Nigeria convicts nearly 400 on terrorism charges as murders of Christians continue
By Diana Chandler - Posted at Baptist Press:
Published April 21, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria (BP) – A Nigerian federal court convicted nearly 400 individuals on terrorism charges this month in what persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) said is one of the largest criminal crackdowns in the nation’s history, but none appeared to face murder charges.The Abuja high court convicted 386 individuals linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), ICC and others reported, with those convicted sentenced to prison terms spanning five years to life. Those sentenced were among 508 individuals arrested, with 112 cases adjourned, indicating postponement. Two were found not guilty, and eight were dismissed, ICC said.
The convictions followed the murder of an estimated 157 Christians since Palm Sunday in rural communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, ICC reported after the April 10 convictions, saying that the Nigerian government must admit that the murders are religiously motivated if justice is to occur. An additional 43 identified as Muslims were murdered in the attacks since Palm Sunday, ICC said.
“If (Nigerian President Bola) Tinubu is serious about quelling the violence in Nigeria, one factor he must address is religion,” ICC said April 16. “Though not the only factor at play – lack of economic opportunity is another – it is a major one that he cannot afford to ignore.
“Whether through programs to counter religious extremism or targeted efforts to provide security for vulnerable Christian communities in violence-torn areas, Tinubu can make significant strides toward peace only if he is willing to address the religious tensions at play in his country.”
Nigerian government officials have long denied the killings are religiously motivated, but ICC, the Christian Association of Nigeria and numerous humanitarian and watchdog groups have documented that the terrorists target Christians primarily, and sometimes moderate Muslims.
