The Nigerian Army on Wednesday released 1,009 Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) former terrorists’ fighters to the Borno State Government.
They have been in detention at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Sources said that the former terrorists were handed over to the State government in a secret ceremony. It was initially billed to take place at an earlier date but was suspended indefinitely by the military authorities in the wake of the death of the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and the appointment of the new COAS, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya.
The source noted that the ex-terrorists were handed over to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, who represented the State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, at the event.
According to the source, “the Army handed 1,009 Boko Haram insurgents to the Borno State government today (Wednesday). It was done in secret. We were warned not to allow journalists to the venue.”
Efforts to reach the Army Public Relations Officer, Operation Hadin Kai, Colonel Ado Isa, proved abortive.
In the same vein, Hajia Gambo did not reply to a text message sent to her phone.