Nigeria moves 400 Noko Haram ex-convicts to Gombe for reintegration

The Nigerian government has relocated 400 former Boko Haram fighters to the Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State. These individuals, having completed their sentences, are now set to undergo rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and ultimately, reintegration into society.

This significant development was disclosed by Kamardeen Ogundele, the spokesperson for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, in a statement issued on Friday. The reintegration initiative underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of terrorism and preventing recidivism among former insurgents.

In parallel, the government announced the conviction of over 125 Boko Haram terrorists and their financiers in a mass trial held over two days in Kainji, Niger State. The trials, part of the Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, were presided over by five Federal High Court judges, including Justice Binta Nyako. Other judges on the panel were Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.

The convicted individuals faced charges ranging from terrorism and terrorism financing to providing material support for terrorist activities and committing crimes related to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The prosecution team was led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defence was headed by Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council.

Among the convicted, 85 individuals were sentenced for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, and the remaining for various acts of terrorism. These convictions are a testament to the government’s unwavering resolve to clamp down on terrorism and its financiers.

International observers, including representatives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), were present during the trials, ensuring transparency and adherence to international legal standards.

The government’s dual approach of stringent legal action against perpetrators and a structured reintegration program for reformed individuals highlights a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism and promote sustainable peace in the region.