The Nigerian Army on Monday handed over 244 Boko Haram suspects, who it said has given up the membership of the terrorist group, to the Borno State government, premiumtimesng.com reports. The handing over of the suspects was in commemoration of the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
In reaction to the development, some commentators wrote; ''When did the Nigerian Army become the executor of the Criminal Justice System in Nigeria? With the power to arrest terrorists, determine their legal status and issue executive orders about their judgment.'' ''Has the role of the Nigeria Judicial Council been subordinated to the Military? And the police as well? Not in charge of civilian issues as these TERRORISTS have been declared 'born again.''
The suspects according to Premium Times, comprise 56 women, 118 adult male, 19 underaged persons and 51 children.
Presenting the suspects at the Military Cemetery in Maiduguri, venue of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Rogers Nicholas, a major-general, said the release of the repentant Boko Haram members was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant-General.
He said the suspects had been properly screened and confirmed to have sincerely repented of allegiance to the group. The Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, commended the military for its ongoing de-radicalization efforts in the war against the almost nine-year-old Boko Haram insurgency.
Mr. Shettima took time to speak with some of the insurgents who assured him of their readiness to be absorbed into the society and promised to be law-abiding citizens.
The high point of the Remembrance Day event was the laying of wreaths by the governor and top military officers. With Premium Times.
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