The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged 35 newly decorated Major-Generals to make 2025 a determining year in the fight against terrorism and insecurity across the country.

Gen. Musa, who spoke at the decoration ceremony of the Major-Generals at the Command Officers Mess in Abuja, said their elevation indicated that there is always a reward for hard work in the Armed Forces.

He said: “We have been dealing with insurgencies, terrorism, and banditry for 15 or 16 years and still counting. I think it is high time we dealt with it finally. I know we can do it. So, I want to call on all of us to put on our thinking caps and make that great sacrifice that 2025 should be a determining year for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“Having reached the peak of your careers, always remember that the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces will continue to rely on the leadership and expertise of individuals like you to safeguard our country and its people. Nigeria is looking up to us. We must do everything to defend democracy in Nigeria and across the sub-region. It is a duty and a task for all of us to perform.

“Our nation is going through so much and it takes men of steel and character for us to succeed, and that is what we aim for. The rank of Major-General signifies not only a high level of responsibility but also a deep sense of duty towards our country and its people.

“I, therefore, congratulate you and your families on achieving this laudable feat. Today is, however, not only a day for celebration but also a clarion call to the tasks ahead.”

The CDS urged the newly decorated Major-Generals and other officers of the Armed Forces to remain committed in the task ahead, not thinking of self but the nation, and uphold democratic governance and loyalty to constituted authority.

The COAS, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, reminded the newly promoted Major-Generals that with higher rank comes higher responsibilities.

“From now onwards, more accountabilities will be required and demanded of you. As Major-Generals, what you do or fail to do matters a lot to the system, and particularly the national security.

“Therefore, I charge you all to always keep your new status in mind to avoid embarrassing the military establishment and profession and particularly to justify the confidence that has been imposed in you,” he said.

Also, the Federal Government has said it disposed of 1,743 terrorism cases and secured 742 convictions in the past four years.

It said 880 suspected terrorists were discharged or acquitted by the court, while 92 cases were adjourned within the period.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) and that of the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Mohammed Baba Doko, gave the update at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) yesterday in Abuja.

The director said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had made significant progress in the trials of suspected terrorists.

He said: “Between the year 2017 and till date, a number of suspects were prosecuted at Wawa in Kainji (Niger State). At the first phase of the trial, 282 cases were disposed of, 50 of which got convictions, 203 discharged for want of evidence, and 28 adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.

“At the second phase of the trial in 2018, a total number of 804 suspects or cases were disposed of, out of which 203 got convictions, 582 were discharged for want of evidence, and the other cases were adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.

“At the third phase of the trial, between July 9 and 12, 2018, a total number of 224 cases were disposed of, out of which 113 got convictions, 97 were discharged for want of evidence, five were acquitted, and nine other cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.

“At the fourth phase of trial in December 2023, a total number of 25 cases were listed for trial, 14 got convictions, one was ordered to be sent to Operation Safe Corridor for DDR rehabilitation and reintegration, and 10 cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.

“At the fifth phase of the trial in July 2024, a total number of 253 cases were disposed of, out of which 125 got convictions, 85 were about terrorism financing cases, 22 were related to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminalities; that is, crimes against humanity; and 22 were adjourned for trial.

“Now, at the sixth phase of trial, two weeks ago (December 2024), a total number of 237 cases were disposed of, about nine were adjourned for continuation of trial.”

According to the DPP, some of the cases include acts of terrorism, terrorism financing, ICC criminalities, for which some of the defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

“Now, it’s important to note that within the last one year of this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 clients – we call them clients. Those that have served terms or were discharged or acquitted at the final stages of trial were moved to Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation and reintegration in accordance with the orders of the court and the policy of the Federal Government.

“So, all of these steps were taken in conjunction with relevant stakeholders to ensure accountability for the crimes committed by violent people across the country, not just Boko Haram.”

He said the suspect kept and tried at the Wawa military cantonment in Kainji in Niger State was due to security considerations.