A Boko Haram commander, Babagana Umar, brazenly declared to an Abuja court that his group would ultimately capture Nigeria, even while facing trial for terrorism-related offenses. The stark admission, made in 2018, highlights the deep-seated resolve and perceived invincibility among some incarcerated militants, according to legal representatives.

Dauda Hassan, director of civil litigation at the Legal Aid Council, recounted Umar’s defiant stance during a recent interview. Hassan, who represented Umar, explained that the suspect, unrepentant and seemingly unfazed by his legal predicament, expressed a desire to return to the Sambisa Forest to continue the insurgency should he be released.

Umar’s unwavering commitment to the Boko Haram cause was evident when, despite not understanding English, he rejected any suggestion of innocence conveyed through translation. He explicitly stated he was responsible for his actions and that his current detention was merely a temporary setback, not a deterrent to his ultimate mission.

This sentiment reflects a broader issue of long-term indoctrination, as noted by Hassan, which leaves many terrorists unmoved by the gravity of their crimes. The suspect’s pronouncements were met with a swift 50-year prison sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism act, a testament to the severity of his admitted role.

Hassan also detailed the case of another commander who admitted to planning a bombing at a school in Gombe. The individual displayed a chilling lack of empathy, viewing any Muslims present in the school as infidels who deserved to be targeted, underscoring the extremist ideology at play.

The legal system faces significant challenges with thousands of terrorism suspects awaiting trial, some since 2012. Delays are attributed to the complexities of prosecution and the sheer volume of cases, leading to prolonged detentions for individuals with varying degrees of culpability.

Among those detained are individuals ensnared by circumstance, some sentenced under laws like Section 8(1) for concealing information. These cases often involve villagers whose communities were overrun by Boko Haram, leaving them with no means of reporting or escape, and consequently facing lengthy prison terms.

Furthermore, individuals forced to carry out errands for Boko Haram under duress, such as fetching firewood or water, are also convicted of supporting terrorism, receiving sentences of up to 20 years. Legal aid counsel have argued for leniency in such cases, recognizing the victims’ lack of agency, yet convictions remain the norm.

In a separate statement, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, revealed that over 800 terrorists have been convicted in the past eight years, with nearly 900 others acquitted. These figures underscore the ongoing judicial efforts to address the insurgency.

The convictions and acquittals highlight the intricate nature of terrorism trials in Nigeria, where distinguishing between active perpetrators and those caught in the conflict’s crossfire remains a critical challenge for the justice system.

Read Original

Keywords: Boko Haram, Nigeria terrorism, Babagana Umar, terrorism suspect, Abuja court, militant conviction, insurgency, counter-terrorism