Three hundred Boko Haram suspects were officially remanded in prison custody on Tuesday, as hearings got underway in the first mass trials linked to the Islamist insurgency.

The media is banned on security grounds from attending proceedings at four civilian courts set up in a military base in Kainji, Niger State.

The justice ministry said in a statement that three separate cases, each involving 100 defendants, were heard in three of the courts.

The hearings will resume on January 9. Over 3,000 suspects are being held at the Kainji facility. (Silverbird TV)