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The Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) has concluded investigations involving 1,450 individuals accused of terrorism-related activities and is preparing for the commencement of their trials. This development was disclosed during a media briefing by Captain Olugbenga Adeniyi, who represented the Acting Commander of the JIC, Colonel A.U. Ahmed.
According to Col. Ahmed, the 1,450 suspects are part of a larger group of 1,877 individuals being investigated by the Centre for alleged involvement in terrorist activities. He emphasized that the investigation process is thorough, and each case is evaluated on its own merit.
Upon the conclusion of these investigations, suspects are categorised based on their level of involvement. Col. Ahmed explained that those found to be uninvolved in terrorism are either rehabilitated or sent for deradicalisation programmes, while those confirmed to be active members of terrorist groups are transferred to the Giwa Project Centre in Kainji for prosecution.
He noted, “After the investigation, the Complex Casework Group (CCG) reviews the investigation reports and provides the necessary legal advice. Based on this legal assessment, the detainees are classified into three categories: Prosecution, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration.”
Suspects designated for prosecution are transferred to the Giwa Project in Kainji. Those deemed suitable for rehabilitation are sent to Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, a government-led deradicalisation and rehabilitation initiative. Meanwhile, individuals cleared for reintegration are handed over to the Borno State Government for appropriate resettlement into society.
However, Col. Ahmed also highlighted several critical challenges facing the JIC. One of the major issues, he said, is the difficulty in securing witnesses during the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
He pointed out that investigators often face restricted access to areas where arrests were made or where crimes occurred. Additionally, many potential witnesses are either unwilling or afraid to come forward and testify.
“The Centre faces difficulty in securing most of the witnesses that would have aided the investigations,” he stated. “This is partly due to lack of accessibility by our investigators to most of the areas of arrest or crime scenes, and partly due to the reluctance of some witnesses to testify.”
Another significant challenge, Col. Ahmed lamented, is the delay in the prosecution of suspects. Despite having completed investigations for a large number of detainees, many remain in custody far longer than necessary due to the slow pace of judicial proceedings.
He explained, “Most of the suspects in detention are awaiting prosecution; however, the delay in prosecution is responsible for their continued detention, sometimes for periods longer than necessary. This remains one of the biggest challenges confronting the Centre, even though we have lived up to our mandate.”
The JIC’s efforts underscore the complexity and magnitude of counterterrorism operations, particularly as the country seeks justice for terrorism victims while ensuring due process and the rule of law for suspects.