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How FG Spent N1.4bn On Repentant Terrorists’ Rehab Centres

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The Federal Government has spent about N1.4bn for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists and the establishment of centres for terrorism trials in the last one year and six months, PUNCH reports.

The Federal Government established the National Counter-Terrorism Centre following former President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill on May 12, 2022.

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In December 2022, the government announced its decision to establish two disarmament, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration centres for repentant members of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country.

The Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Rear Admiral Yem Musa (retd.), disclosed to the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence that the government would spend N2.4bn on the centres as part of the NCTC’s N3.8bn capital projects for 2023.

However, checks by one of our correspondents using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s spending, revealed that between December 2022 and May 2024, the Ministry of Justice spent a total of N1.4bn on constructing rehabilitation centres for repentant terrorists and renovating an abandoned building for terrorism case trials.

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READ ALSO: Why Only 300 Of 50,000 Hardcore Terrorists Arrested By Military Were Prosecuted – DG, NARC

On March 27, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Justice disbursed N612m to three firms for the renovation and furnishing of abandoned structures for terrorism case trials and the construction of dormitories for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor.

The first payment of N286.7m was transferred to a firm, El-haby Concept Limited, for the renovation and furnishing of abandoned building for terrorism case trials at Giwa Barracks, as approved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on March 21, 2023.

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The second payment of N21.5m was made to Interprise Limited as consultancy fees for designing and supervising the building of facilities for repentant terrorists at the OSC. The remaining N303.7m was released to Fosab Global Energy Service Limited as an additional 40% payment for constructing the rehabilitation centre.

In 2024, the ministry paid three firms a total of N179m for similar projects. The first payment of N11.5m was wired to Jayjaysen Integrated Links Ltd on March 22, 2024, for the supply of desktop computers and LaserJet printers/toners to facilitate terrorism case prosecutions, as approved by the SGF on December 1, 2023.

Another N16.4m was transferred to Estergel Ltd on April 8, 2024, for procuring computers and accessories for the same purpose, as approved by the SGF on December 18, 2023. Finally, N151.8m was paid to Fosab Global Energy Service Ltd on May 3, 2024, as part of payment for constructing the rehabilitation centre.

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READ ALSO: Viral Video: “Please Stop Crying,” Soldiers In Tears After Losing Colleagues To Terrorists

Secret trials of terrorists

Meanwhile, on December 15, the NCTC disclosed in a statement that it had secured the conviction of no fewer than 325 terrorists in its Phase 5 and Phase 6 trials at the Kainji Detention Facility.

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The centre noted that the terrorists received various sentences ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment and terms of 20 to 70 years, depending on the severity of the crimes committed by the suspects.

In the Phase 5 trial, conducted in July 2024, about 143 cases were heard, leading to 125 convictions. In Phase 6, 237 cases were heard, with 200 convictions secured at the same venue. However, the government has since remained silent on when the Phase 7 trials will commence.

When The PUNCH reached out to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to ascertain why the trials were conducted secretly, no response was received.

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Some security experts and civil society organisations expressed divergent opinions on the secretive nature of the terrorism trials.

A security expert, Lekan Jackson-Ojo, said secret trials lacked authenticity.

READ ALSO: Why Only 300 Of 50,000 Hardcore Terrorists Arrested By Military Were Prosecuted – DG, NARC

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“When politicians, armed robbers, or the so-called Yahoo boys commit offences, the press is allowed to report on it, and the entire world knows about it. But why are we trying these enemies of humanity, enemies of God—the Satanists—in secrecy?

“For over 20 years, members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have been in Nigeria, killing thousands of people and rendering millions homeless. How many of these people have been sentenced to life imprisonment?” he queried.

Chidi Omeje, another security expert, also condemned the secret trials, saying, “Why would they conduct secret trials? Does it mean the military, for example, is trying to protect these terrorists who are also killing their personnel?”

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“The terrorists have killed a lot of military officers. So, why would the military participate in any action to shield their prosecution? I think it has to do with procedural issues because they are dealing with so many arrested terrorists,” he added.

However, another security expert, Kabir Adamu, argued that the government’s decision to conduct secret trials was justified for security reasons.

He said, “It is very commendable that this administration has prioritised the trial of suspects, especially those facing terrorism-related charges and who have been in detention for a very long time, some for more than a decade. However, these trials must be conducted according to standard procedures to ensure transparency and compliance with the rule of law.”
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Teenager Angry, Poisons Uncle’s Soup Because He Snores Too Much

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A high school student in Japan has been arrested for allegedly poisoning his uncle’s soup in an attempt to kill him because he couldn’t stand his snoring, the country’s media reported.

The 18-year-old teenager from Ichibara, Japan’s Chiba prefecture, was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly mincing leaves from a toxic oleander plant and pouring them into his uncle’s soup, because he had become exasperated by his loud snoring.

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According to the police report, on August 17, during lunch, the teen’s uncle sensed an unusual taste in the soup he was served and spat it out, but soon started exhibiting symptoms like mouth numbness and stomach pain, which required medical attention.

READ ALSO:‘My Husband Lied To Our Children That I Poisoned His Food, Cut Part Of His Singlet For Ritual’

Samples from his bowl of soup were found to contain a lethal amount of the toxic substance known as oleandrin.

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“I couldn’t stand my uncle’s loud snoring and decided to kill him,” the 18-year-old teenager allegedly told police during questioning.

Oleander is an evergreen tree that blooms with red or white flowers and is commonly planted as a street or park tree. Its branches and leaves are toxic.

Luckily, the teen’s uncle, a 53-year-old self-employed man who lived with the boy and his mother, made a full recovery.

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Six Dead, Others Trapped As Gold Collapse

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Six people have been killed and up to 20 others are feared trapped after a gold mine collapsed in northern Sudan, authorities said on Saturday.

The accident occurred on Friday in the Um Aud area, west of the city of Berber in River Nile state, said Hassan Ibrahim Karar, executive director of the Berber locality.

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“Efforts are ongoing to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble,” Karar said, without specifying the cause of the collapse of the artisanal mine.

Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, both sides have largely financed their war efforts through the country’s gold industry.

READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal Stumble As Brentford Snatch Late Draw At The Emirates

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Official and NGO sources say nearly all of Sudan’s gold trade is funnelled through the United Arab Emirates, which has been widely accused of supplying arms to the RSF — a charge it denies.

Despite the conflict, the army-backed government announced record gold production of 64 tonnes for 2024.

Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country by area, remains one of the continent’s top gold producers.

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However, most gold is extracted through artisanal and small-scale mining operations, which lack proper safety measures and often use hazardous chemicals, resulting in severe health risks for miners and nearby communities. Buy vitamins and supplements.

READ ALSO:Senegal’s New President Orders Economic Recovery Plan

Before the war pushed 25 million Sudanese into acute food insecurity, artisanal mining employed more than two million people, according to industry figures.

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Today, mining experts say much of the gold produced by both warring factions is smuggled through Chad, South Sudan and Egypt before reaching the UAE — currently the world’s second-largest gold exporter.

The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced roughly 10 million people, creating the world’s largest displacement crisis. An additional four million Sudanese have fled across borders.

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Popular Nail Polish Ingredient Banned Over Fertility Fears

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The European Union has outlawed the use of TPO in all cosmetic products as of September 1, citing evidence that it may cause long-term fertility problems. The move forces nail salons in all 27 EU countries, as well as Norway and others that follow EU rules, to stop offering TPO-based gels and safely dispose of their stock. Manufacturers will now be required to reformulate their products without the chemical.

TPO has been a staple in the beauty industry, used as a photoinitiator to harden polish quickly under ultraviolet light and give manicures a glossy, long-lasting finish. But while gel polish has been praised for staying chip-free for weeks, experts say the ingredient behind its durability may carry hidden dangers.

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READ ALSO:Lagos Enforces Ban, Seizes Single-use Plastics From Supermarkets

Industry insiders expect the UK and other countries to follow suit with a similar ban by late 2026. The US, however, has yet to propose any such restrictions, though American salons that import products from Europe could be affected.

This ingredient could not be defended. The industry was unable to prove there were no safer alternatives,” said Francesca Rapolla of the UK’s Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association.

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Still, not everyone agrees with the ban. Belgian retailer ASAP Nails and Beauty Supply warned of “major economic damage” to small businesses and argued there is “no human evidence of danger”. Meanwhile, US-based consultant Doug Schoon criticised the EU’s decision as “disproportionate”, saying it would waste safe products and undermine confidence in regulators.

READ ALSO:Firm Wants Attorney-General Investigate Court Ruling On Breach Of Contract

The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of chemicals in everyday cosmetics. Experts warn that toxic compounds, including endocrine disruptors, may contribute to rising cases of infertility, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. One striking trend is the surge in endometriosis cases — a painful condition linked to infertility — as global cases have risen to nearly 190 million. Scientists believe endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and now TPO could be a driving force.

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“These chemicals can linger in the body for years, stored in fatty tissue. They affect the immune system, disrupt hormones, and in some women, may trigger reproductive problems and endometriosis,” said Professor Katie Burns of the University of Cincinnati.

For now, Europe has chosen precaution over profit. The debate over TPO could prove a turning point in the battle over hidden toxins in beauty products — and their long-term toll on women’s health.

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