FG To Spend N1.1 Billion To Prosecute Boko Haram Suspects In 2023

The Nigerian government has allocated N1,096,456,345 for the prosecution of Boko Haram, terrorism and other related suspects.

This was contained in the 2023 appropriation budget for the Ministry of Justice obtained by SaharaReporters.

In April 2022, over 400 persons were arrested by security agencies during a nationwide crackdown on the suspected financiers and collaborations.

They were reportedly arrested in an operation being coordinated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The operation was said to have been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020.

However, about 300 of the suspects have been released on the order of Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

Last Friday, over 100 people arrested for alleged links with Boko Haram and detained at the Kirikiri Correctional Centres were also released.

Most of the released suspects were arrested in Borno, Bauchi and Kano states on suspicion of being members of Boko Haram in late 2009 when police and other security agencies embarked on raids that led to the arrests of many members of the terrorist organisation.

“Over 100 Boko Haram suspects held at Kirikiri prison were released last Friday. On Wednesday, the suspects started selling their properties in prison in preparatory for their release.

“The Assistant Controller-General came to Kirikiri on Thursday and announced their release. A big vehicle was brought on Friday and they were transported to the airport,” a source had told SaharaReporters.

Another source however said the prisoners were freed as part of a swap deal with the terrorists for the release of the 23 remaining abducted passengers of the Abuja- Kaduna train attack.

On March 28, a train on its way from Abuja was attacked by terrorists in Kaduna State.

Several persons were killed while many were abducted during the attack.

Last Wednesday, the remaining 23 captives were released by the gunmen.

In the 2023 budget proposal which was analysed by our SaharaReporters, it was further realised that N162,356,631 would be used by the ministry for prosecution of criminal and other related matters.

The budget further stated that over N2 billion would be used for “Legal services.”