Army frees 128 detainees cleared of links with Boko Haram

The Nigerian army has released 128 people detained in Borno state after certifying that they have no link with Boko Haram.

Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, handed over the detainees to Kashim Shettima, governor of the state, at a ceremony in Maiduguri.

He listed the detainees as 109 men, seven women, 11 boys and one unattached teenager. He said that they were arrested at different parts of during anti-terrorism campaign by the military.

Buratai said that after thorough screening by a team of military intelligence officers, the police and the department of state security service (DSS), the suspects were found to be clean and were released.

“The task of operation Lafiya Dole can be seen in three terms – to defeat the insurgents, to facilitate humanitarian activities and observe human rights and restore the administrative functions in the liberated area,” he said.

“We are here to formally hand over those arrested in the process of our operations; we are pleased to hand over the 128 suspects that have been cleared by the joint intelligent core, which comprised the army, the police and DSS.”

He described the action as an indication that the military is made up of well-trained officers who believe in observing human rights.

“This is clear manifestation that the army is clearly professional,” Buratai declared, expressing optimism that insurgency will soon come to an end.

“We will continue to emphasis that this terrorism will soon come to an end,” he added. “We have been supported by President Muhammadu Buhari; we are getting more equipment and we are getting more of our troops redeployed to the operation.”

He commended the Borno state government for its support for the military in the anti-terrorism war.

Earlier on July 6, the military freed 182 suspects after a team of investigators cleared them of involvement with the group.