He said the release of the suspects was part of the activities lined up for the 2015 Army Remembrance Day, which started last week in Abuja. Lt Gen. Minimah told reporters that the military decided that they needed to celebrate Army Day with the troops at the frontlines adding that it was intended to “boost the morale of men and officers fighting to restore peace.”
[slideshow]40640[/slideshow]
The Nigerian army has today released 182 suspected Boko Haram members from the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. All 182 were arrested on suspected ties to the terrorist group and included 100 men, 24 women, 40 boys and 18 children.
Lt Gen. Kenneth Minimah, the Chief of Army Staff, presented the former detainees to Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima at the 7 Division Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.
The former detainees were thoroughly investigated and found not to have any links with radical Islam or terrorist activities, according to Lt General Kenneth Minimah.
“We have thoroughly investigated them and they are free of any involvement with Boko Haram or similar groups. We have today released them to the Borno State government," the Army Chief stated.
He said the release of the suspects was part of the activities lined up for the 2015 Army Remembrance Day, which started last week in Abuja. Lt Gen. Minimah told reporters that the military decided that they needed to celebrate Army Day with the troops at the frontlines adding that it was intended to “boost the morale of men and officers fighting to restore peace.”
Earlier Lt Gen. Minimah, and other top generals, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor Shettima of Borno State. Shortly after they laid a wreath for the fallen officers near the Headquarters of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Governor Shettima thanked the military at the public event, and noted that they adhered to the rule of law by investigating the detainees. He added that the Borno residents would not forget the sacrifices the military made to bring peace to their communities.