Army frees 42 Boko Haram suspects in Borno

The Nigerian Army has released 42 suspects cleared of any involvement in Boko Haram activities.

Spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Borno State, Col Sani Usman, while releasing the suspects yesterday, said they were being freed after thorough investigation cleared them of any involvement in Boko Haram terror activities.

While handing over the suspects, aged between 18 and 30, Usman said the army also donated N100, 000 to each of the released suspects to help them settle down to normal life again.

He said three of the suspects were from Nigeria’s neighbours of Chad, Cameroon and Burkina Faso while the other 39 were Nigerians.

He disclosed that the foreign nationals would be handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for repatriation to their respective countries.

Some of the suspects thanked the military for freeing them, saying they had taken their situation as an act of God. They also commended the military for the assistance.

“We are happy today for our release by the military because we are not Boko Haram members. The military treated us very well while in detention. This was why most of us are looking healthy. We are very much grateful to Governor Kashim Shettima for helping us secure this freedom, after we have been investigated and found not to be Boko Haram members. We are very grateful,” Suleiman Adamu, one of the suspects and an undergraduate at the University of Maiduguri said.

Governor Shettima, who received the suspects, urged them not to engage in any unlawful acts.

“I urge all of you not to engage in any anti-social activities. You should always exhibit good behaviour while you go about your normal activities in your respective towns and communities in this state,” he stated.

Shettima also announced donation of N100, 000 to each of the suspects, in addition to a promise to engage them in the services of Borno State under the state Roads Maintenance Agency (BOSRM). 

Thank God they had the good sense to help them back on their feet.

Culled from The Sun