Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) of Operation Hadin Kai has disclosed that investigations into over 1,250 terrorism suspects arrested in the North East have been completed, with the suspects now awaiting trial.
The Commander of the Joint Investigation Centre, Yusuf Audu, made the disclosure on Wednesday while briefing Defence Correspondents at the JIC facility in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Audu explained that the centre remains a critical component of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture, tasked with investigating terrorism and other related crimes within the theatre of operations.
According to him, the Centre operates with a multidisciplinary team of investigators and language assistants drawn from various security agencies, enabling effective interrogation and analysis of suspects from diverse backgrounds.
He noted that all investigations are conducted strictly within the legal framework of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism laws, including the Terrorism Prevention Acts of 2011 and 2013 (as amended) and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
Audu stressed that the JIC adopts a human-rights-based approach, supported by special investigation techniques and modern equipment, adding that detention of suspects is always backed by remand orders obtained from the Federal High Court.
“Currently, the Centre has completed about 1,250 investigations pending trial, while some cases are undergoing further characterisation,” he said.
He explained that after investigations, cases are reviewed by a Complex Casework Group, which provides legal advice on whether suspects should be prosecuted, rehabilitated, reintegrated or referred for immigration-related actions.
According to Audu, suspects recommended for prosecution are transferred for trial, while those cleared for rehabilitation or reintegration are moved through approved official corridors.
He added that biometric data is captured for every suspect processed through the Centre to maintain a comprehensive database, a process supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The JIC Commander further disclosed that personnel posted to the Centre undergo continuous professional development in fields such as psychology, criminology and sociology to strengthen investigative capacity.
On civil-military cooperation, Audu said the Centre works closely with international organisations including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration, and other development partners.
He revealed that UNODC constructed a modern evidence storage facility and donated computers, while also supporting capacity-building workshops on terrorism investigation.
Audu said IOM established a well-equipped data centre for registration, screening and biometric documentation, while ICRC assists in detainee healthcare, including treatment of malnutrition and tuberculosis.
He added that UNICEF has donated learning materials to enhance education programmes for detainees.
The briefing underscores the military’s continued emphasis on lawful, intelligence-driven and internationally compliant counter-terrorism operations in the North East
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