The Nigerian army has announced that it has set free 244 Boko Haram fighters who it says have now repented or undergone rehabilitation and are no more a threat to society.
The military hierarchy said these fighters have now been de-radicalised and can re-integrate back into the Nigerian society.
Those freed include women and children and would now be handed over to the governor of Borno state.
The Nigerian army released the fighters to also mark the country’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
A senior military officer, Major General Nicholas Rogers told the media that “The detainees have been de-radicalised for reintegration into the society. We are handing over the detainees to Borno Government for administration”.
Critics of government have questioned the current decision of the army despite similar releases in the past
Boko Haram has wreaked havoc in Nigeria kidnapping school girls and its operations have displaced millions and led to the death of several others.
The group’s leader Abubakar Shekau in an earlier video released this month claimed that his group carried out the various attacks recorded in northeast Nigeria during the festive season last year.
“We are in good health and nothing has happened to us,” Shekau said in a video that lasted for 31 minutes.
He spoke in the Hausa language saying “Nigerian troops, police and those creating mischief against us can’t do anything against us, and you will gain nothing”.
“We carried out the attacks in Maiduguri, in Gamboru, in Damboa. We carried out all these attacks” the Boko Haram leader said.
Source: Africafeeds.com
