Military sets free another 125 B’Haram suspect
yesterday released another batch of 125 Boko Haram
suspects and handed them over to Governor Kashim
Shettima, after they were cleared of any involvement in
terrorist activities and insurgency by "thorough investigation
and clearances."
Sunday Mirror recalls that last Thursday, the Military handed
over 42 Boko Haram suspects to Governor Shettima at the
Government House, Maiduguri with three from Burkina
Faso, Chad and Cameroon.
The 125 cleared suspects, according to military, yesterday,
were among the 254 arrested suspects on September 23,
2014 in various operations in southern Borno State against
insurgency and terrorist activities.
Presenting the suspects at the Government House, Deputy
Director, Public Army Relations Office, Col. Sani Usman, said
the arrested and investigated suspects handed over to the
governor had nothing to do with terrorist activities and Boko
Haram insurgency in the state.
He said the 125 suspects were cleared among the 254
arrested Boko Haram suspects in various attacks and killings
in Southern Borno Senatorial District where the Sambisa
Forest is located in the state.
"These cleared suspects being presented to you were
however cleared by the military after thorough
investigations by the military of any alleged involvement or
participation in terrorist activities in the recent attacks and
killings experienced in Southern Borno State," said Usman
yesterday.
He also called on the people of Borno to continue to
cooperate with the military by providing useful information
on how to end insurgency and other terrorists' activities not
only in Borno, but other neighbouring states of Adamawa,
Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi states in the North East sub-region
of the country.
Our reporter also yesterday learnt that the released and
handed over suspects include students, traders, carpenters,
drivers and panel beaters, arrested in various locations of
southern Borno State, comprising nine local government
areas of Gwoza, Askira/ Uba, Chibok, Damboa, Shani, Biu,
Kwaya/Kusar, Bayo and Hawul.
Most of the "released and handed over" suspects fall
between the ages of 18 and 30 with five elderly persons who
appeared to be traumatized, after going through
interrogations for about two months.
While receiving the suspects, Governor Shettima said that it
is an epochal event for over a 100 suspects to be released
and absolved from any terrorists activities by the military in
this state, noting that they were not found guilty of any
criminal activity or terrorism.
"The gesture of the military will continue to build trust
between the people and troops of 7 Division of Nigerian
Army that are fighting Boko Haram insurgency in Borno. This
is a positive step of show- casing military's capacity of
fighting terrorism not only in this state, but the North East
sub-region and the country at large. We thank all the military
officers and men for this historic event of releasing suspects
that have nothing to do with insurgency or any terror activity
here in Borno State," said Shettima.
To the released suspects, he said: "Now that you have been
absolved from any terror activity by the military, I urge each
and every one of you here in this Government House Hall to
exhibit good behaviours in your respective towns and
villages; and should also assist the military by giving useful
information on how to end this insurgency that has been
with us for over five years.
"Islam does not condone the killings and destruction of
people's property. What is important is that all of you should
go home and assist your parents because most of you are
youths that could transform this state into a better place to
live in."
Each of the released suspects was given a cash donation of
N20, 000 for transport money along with 10 yards of clothes
for their dresses.
.
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