Nigeria convicts 205 Boko Haram suspects in mass trials

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More than 200 people have been convicted in Nigeria on charges related to their involvement with militant Islamist group Boko Haram, the country's justice ministry said on Monday.

The convictions of 205 people in mass trials mark the conclusion of the second stage of Nigeria's biggest legal challenge to Boko Haram, which began an insurgency in 2009 aimed at creating an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria.

October 23, 2017: The blood-stained scene of three suicide bomb blasts that left 13 people dead in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria. /VCG Photo

"Most of them were convicted for professing to belong to the terrorist group, (or) concealing information about the group which they knew or believe to be of material assistance that could lead to the arrest, prosecution or conviction of Boko Haram members," the justice ministry said in a statement.

Jail terms range from three to 60 years, said the ministry.

It also said a total of 526 people allegedly affiliated with Boko Haram had been released for rehabilitation during the second stage, and 73 cases adjourned.

August 1, 2017: Gwoza, northeastern Nigeria, a region struck by suicide attacks and raids by militant group Boko Haram. /VCG Photo‍

More than 20,000 people have been killed and two million forced to flee their homes since the insurgency began.

In October, the ministry said 45 people suspected of Boko Haram links had been convicted and jailed. A further 468 suspects were discharged and 28 suspects were remanded for trial in Abuja or Minna.

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Source(s): Reuters