For over a decade, Nigeria has been combatting the terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram, with many lives lost, families devastated, and livelihoods destroyed. Over this time, individuals suspected of being associated with Boko Haram have been detained by Nigerian authorities, placing considerable strain on the criminal justice system to process their cases.
On 17 May 2024, UNODC and the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Nations organized a side event on the margins of the thirty-third session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna. Entitled “Screening, Investigation and Rehabilitation of Boko Haram Suspects: The Experience of Nigeria”, the side event provided an opportunity to present the work of the Joint Investigation Centre, a multi-agency hub located in Maiduguri, Borno State, comprised of law enforcement, security, and military officers responsible for processing Boko Haram suspects detained in the course of counter-terrorism operations in North-east Nigeria.
Recognizing that security-focused responses are only one facet of the struggle against terrorism and violent extremism, the Joint Investigation Centre, under the leadership of Colonel Aliyu Ahmed and with the support of UNODC, has been working towards improving practices in relation to screening, investigation, and rehabilitation in line with human rights and the rule of law. The aim is to ensure that those who have committed the most serious crimes are brought to justice, while those who have repented of their previous actions and have turned away from Boko Haram are provided with psychological support and vocational training to enable their eventual reintegration back into society.
The side event, moderated by Mr. Tom Parker, Head of the UNODC Counter-Terrorism Unit in Nigeria, was opened by Ms. Elena Rigacci Hay, Head of the Africa Programme in the Terrorism Prevention Branch, who highlighted UNODC’s long-standing partnership with the Joint Investigation Centre and noted that the adoption of criminal justice-led and human rights-based counter-terrorism measures had contributed to a more effective response to terrorism in Nigeria.
Ms. Marie-Ange Balbinot, Delegation of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna, echoed the results that had been achieved by Nigeria, which had led to the review of over 2,900 case files of terrorist suspects, and the subsequent release of nearly 2,700 detainees and the referral of 230 cases for trial. Looking ahead, Ms. Balbinot announced the commencement of a new €20m EU-funded project to be delivered by UNODC in partnership with UNDP, UNICEF and IOM, which will continue to support Nigeria it its terrorism prevention efforts.
Colonel Ahmed, the Commander of the Joint Investigation Centre spoke of his efforts to improve practices within his agency to bring terrorists to justice while protecting their human rights: from mandating the replacement of investigators with those holding the necessary skills and qualifications, using local language translators during suspect interviews, to strengthening the provision of vocational skills training for detainees. This approach has supported the preparation of stronger cases for court, helped to prevent potential miscarriages of justice, and has laid the foundation for the eventual rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
Since 2012, UNODC has been providing specialized technical assistance to Nigeria to deal with the unique terrorism related criminal justice challenges it faces. UNODC has been delivering in-depth legislative assistance and capacity building, including human rights compliant investigative interviewing, ethical leadership, and comprehensive strategies for the screening, prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration of persons associated with Boko Haram. UNODC has also worked to shine a light on the gender dimensions of counter-terrorism, including sexual and gender-based violence, and the unique plight of children caught up in violent conflict. The implementation of UNODC’s work is guided by the UNODC Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030.
