At least 257 suspected Boko Haram detainees have regained their freedom, The Nigerian Army said at the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Maiduguri on Sunday, January 15, The Punch reports.
Receiving the rescued persons from the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Leo Irabor, Governor Kashim Shettima said that the military has made this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day unique after the fall of Sambisa Forest.
According to Maj-Gen Irabor, the freed detainees have no links with Boko Haram amid several investigations carried out by security agencies.
“The 257 Boko Haram detainees have been screened and found to be innocent. The Army Day celebrations have afforded us the opportunity to free them to mark the occasion,” Irabor said.
The detainees – comprised of men, women and children.
On his part, Governor Shettima, represented by his deputy, Mamman Durkwa, paid tribute to the fallen heroes, who he said paid the supreme price for the unity of the nation.
“We must be committed to ensure that the labours of our heroes past are not in vain. I commend the Nigerian military and other security agencies for wiping out terrorists from Sambisa Forest. In fact, it makes this year’s remembrance ceremony unique,” Durkwa said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has disclosed that Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has move to another location after the military recent massive onslaught on the dreaded Sambisa forest.
According to Lt. Gen Buratai, Shekau could not withstand the firepower of the Nigerian troops and had to move to another location, though the army is on his trail.