Army Releases Detained Boko Haram Suspects

8 years ago

Army Releases Detained Boko Haram Suspects

THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, has said that Boko Haram suspects, who have being under detention in Nigerian Army cells for some months will be released on Monday July 6, 2015 after investigation confirmed their innocence,.

Minimah, who led the senior officers of Nigeria Army at the Defence Headquarters to observe this year’s Nigeria Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, disclosed this on Monday during a courtesy call on the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima.

Minimah said the choice to observe this year’s NADCEL ?in Maiduguri was to give a morale booster to the troops on ground that are fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.

He also explained that it was logical to have a low-key celebration since the Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC) had been relocated to Maiduguri.

Minimah said aside other ceremonial activities like laying of wreath at the military cemetery, the decoration of some gallant troops with medal, “we are going to release some of the Boko Haram suspects who have been investigated and found to be free of all suspected incrimination to the Borno State government for onward reintegration with their families.”

Shettima paid tributes to the Nigeria Army for all the supports it had been giving the state in the war against Boko Haram.

He has also thanked the Army for bringing this year’s NADCEL to Maiduguri.

He pledged further government assistance to the army in the prosecution of the counter insurgency war.

Minimah also led the officers to the palace of the Shehu of Borno where he paid tributes to HRH Abubakar ?Garbai Ibn Umar El-kanemi.

The royal father welcomed the COAS and his entourage, even as he reminded them of the peaceful history of the people of Borno State and how over the year, outsiders of first and second generation immigrants had come to introduce alien culture of violence and religious extremism to his domain.

“Borno has earned its global recognition for its hospitality and peaceful disposition; that is why it is name ‘home of peace and hospitality; Borno is the birthplace of politics without bitterness.

[ads4]
“But, today, we have to ask ourselves why such an ugly disturbance occur in Borno, the home of peace.

“The answer to this is that majority of the ?arrested Boko Haram suspects seem to either first or second generation non indigines of Borno State.

“Similar crisis of Boko Haram had once occurred at the beginning of the 21st century when at the Tashan-Journey park at the ?outskirts of Maiduguri we used to have lots of trailers coming in with loads of young boys that were being off loaded day and night in the name of coming to seek religious knowledge.

“At that observations and complaints were made at all levels of government. Peoples have cooperated fully with the security by providing information at that time and even now.

“But since many people in Borno were killed, including notable personalities like Late General Mamman Shuwa and so on.”