The Federal Government has expended approximately N1.4 billion over the past 18 months to rehabilitate repentant terrorists and establish centres for terrorism-related trials.
This expenditure forms part of its broader counter-terrorism strategy, implemented through the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The NCTC, established in May 2022 following former President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, oversees initiatives such as disarmament, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former members of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.
Data from GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government spending, revealed that between December 2022 and May 2024, the Ministry of Justice disbursed N1.4 billion for projects under this initiative.
In March 2023, the ministry allocated N612 million to three firms for renovating abandoned structures for terrorism case trials and constructing dormitories for repentant terrorists as part of Operation Safe Corridor (OSC). Payments included:
N286.7 million to El-haby Concept Limited for renovating and furnishing a terrorism trial facility at Giwa Barracks.
N21.5 million to Interprise Limited for consultancy services related to facility design.
N303.7 million to Fosab Global Energy Service Limited as part of the construction costs for a rehabilitation centre.
In 2024, an additional N179 million was paid to three firms for similar projects, including:
N11.5 million to Jayjaysen Integrated Links Ltd for supplying computers and printers for case prosecutions.
N16.4 million to Estergel Ltd for computer accessories.
N151.8 million to Fosab Global Energy Service Ltd for ongoing construction work at a rehabilitation centre.
The NCTC also reported significant progress in prosecuting terrorism cases.
In a December 2024 statement, the centre disclosed that 325 terrorists had been convicted during Phase 5 and Phase 6 trials held at the Kainji Detention Facility.
During Phase 5 in July 2024, 143 cases were heard, resulting in 125 convictions, while Phase 6 saw 200 convictions from 237 cases.
Sentences ranged from death penalties to life imprisonment and terms of 20 to 70 years, depending on the severity of the crimes.
Despite this progress, the government remains silent on the timeline for Phase 7 trials, leaving uncertainty about the next steps in its efforts to address terrorism through legal and rehabilitative means.
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