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Nearly 400 people in Nigeria were convicted on terrorism charges by a federal high court, with 386 convictions ultimately recorded out of 508 cases filed. The prosecutions,reported by International Christian Concern and the Associated Press,included a mass trial in Abuja. The group says the effort reflects pressure on Nigeria-particularly from the U.S.-to curb terrorism and better protect vulnerable Christian communities targeted by Islamic extremist groups.<\/p>\n

The article notes that many convicted individuals received sentences of up to 20 years from a panel of judges. It also describes broader violence in Nigeria involving Boko Haram (founded in 2002) and related splinter groups,which it says has led to tens of thousands killed or abducted and large-scale internal displacement<\/a>. While the attacks often focus on rural Christian communities, Muslim communities are also affected. International Christian Concern argues that President Bola Tinubu must address radical Islam and improve security or counter-extremism efforts<\/a> to reduce religiously fueled violence. <\/p>\n