Army Frees 128 Suspected Boko Haram Members

Some of the 128 freed detainees 

 By Michael Olugbode 

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday released 128 suspected Boko Haram members arrested in different locations of Borno State.

Speaking during the release of the 128 persons, mostly men to the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buaratai, said the detainees were carefully screened by a joint intelligence cell which included the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and representatives of Borno State.

He said the Nigerian Army was evolving three major tasks in the fulfillment of its role in the counter-insurgency war in the North-east, adding that these include facilitating humanitarian support to all agencies involved in humanitarian activities, defeating the insurgents, facilitating humanitarian activities including observance of human rights and the restoration of administrative functions of all areas liberated.

“To attest to the fact that the Nigerian Army is compliant, we preserve human rights in the course of our duty and also maintain the dignity of the individuals.

“Observance of human rights has vindicated the Nigerian Army, as we protect the territorial integrity of the country and defend its citizens,” the army chief added.

Buratai said President Muhammadu Buhari was giving the army support by supplying them with more equipment and more troops who have been deployed in various parts of the North-east so as to end the insurgency within the stipulated time given by the president.

While addressing the 128 freed Boko Haram suspects, Shettima warned them to desist from engaging in unlawful activities and to embark on legitimate businesses to sustain their livelihood and become fully integrated into the society as good citizens of the country.

He said: “Through the magnanimity and professionalism of the Nigerian Army, you have been released and will be fully integrated into the society. You should abstain from criminal activities, as the government is ready to empower you so that you will be good citizens that can bring development to the society.”

He informed them that officials from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) would be in the state soon to train them on various skill acquisitions of their choice so that they would continue with their normal lives as good members of the society.

Those released comprised 109 males, seven women and 11 children, along with a baby belonging to a slain Boko Haram member.

Also among those released were three Chadians and a Camerounian.

Speaking to journalists, one of the released detainees, 62-year-old Musa Ayuba, said he was excited, as he was finally going to be reintegrated with his family members. He revealed that he had been in detention for almost two years.

He thanked the army and the government for giving them their freedom and promised that they would go back to their villages to carry on with his farming activities.

The Nigerian Army had in July 2015 released 182 persons cleared of any link with the terror group.