The Nigerian military has freed 983 persons it arrested and detained
for alleged complicity with Boko Haram activities.
It also handed them over to the Borno State Government.
The suspects had been in a military detention centre in Maiduguri
until Wednesday when they were asked to go home after months of
interrogation.
Some of them said they were held in the detention centre for over three years.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, a counterinsurgency
force in the northeast state, Olusegun Adeniyi, said the suspects, who
include five females, were taken into custody following strong
allegations that they were accomplices or aiding and abetting Boko
Haram.
“The world is over-armed and peace is underfunded; therefore the first
step towards peace in any theatre is to replace the widespread culture
of war with the culture of peace, ” Mr Adeniyi, a major-general, said.
He said the handing over of the 983 former suspects was not only
significant to the people and government of Borno state but is also a
milestone in the armed forces’ resolve to uphold its constitutional
duty.
“Several arrests have been made during various offensive and defensive
operations conducted over the years.
“During the period, we have captured confirmed and surrendered Boko
Haram terrorists and their sympathisers among which were the 983 freed
suspects being handed over to the Borno state government today.”
Mr Adeniyi said the 983 had been screened and cleared by the joint
investigation board.
“Today I present to His Excellency Governor of Borno state, a total of
983 investigated and cleared Boko Haram terrorists and their
sympathizers in our detention facilities for their rehabilitation and
integration with their family.
“The males among them are 978 while the females are five in number –
which makes a total of 983.”
Mr Adeniyi reassured the government and people of the state that the
armed forces will not intimidate, harass or coerce any person
“unjustly.”
“The intent (of the mass arrest) has been demonstrated in today’s ceremony.”
He said more suspects are still in custody and promised that they too
would undergo similar vetting procedures and if absolved “they would
surely be released and reunited with their families.”
The theatre commander pleaded with the state government to assist the
released detainees to have proper reintegration.
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, who received the released
persons, thanked the military for freeing them.
“We remain eternally grateful for all you have been doing for us and
we pray for Allah to crown your efforts with a lasting peace in Borno
and the northeast region.”
He said freeing the 983 former suspects would be a significant
stepping stone towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency.
