'FG is setting our killers free’– soldiers kick as 1,400 Boko Haram suspects are released

Some soldiers at the war front in the north-east have expressed disappointment over the release of 1,400 ”repentant” Boko Haram suspects.

Babakura Jato, commissioner of information in Borno state, on Monday, told The PUNCH that 1,400 had been released in three tranches since Operation Safe Corridor programme was launched.

Operation Safe Corridor is an initiative for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation of all ex-Boko Haram members.

Jato said the majority of them are cleared suspects.

“These were people who were suspected of being members of Boko Haram and it was discovered that they were not,” he said.

“The rest are children of Boko Haram or actual Boko Haram members. I cannot give you a breakdown of the figure now for security reasons.”

He also said he was aware of the allegation that some of those released had gone back to terrorism, but he added that some of these claims were mere speculation.

Reacting to the development, soldiers, who confirmed the release of the suspects to TheCable on Tuesday, said they did not understand why suspected Boko Haram members are being released in large numbers.

“A lot of soldiers are not happy about this. We were there at the Maimalari barracks when some of these Boko Haram people were released,” one of the soldiers said.

“The authorities are releasing them, but Boko Haram are killing soldiers that they capture. This does not make sense to us at all. We continue to sweep across the bushes to flush these people out, and then the government will release them. Does that not amount to wasted efforts?”

Another soldier said he believes most of the released suspects find their way back to crime.

“You wonder why Boko Haram members are on the increase? When we arrest them and bring them here, some top people would come and start negotiating their release. But, I will tell you some of these so-called suspects are returning to the bush and they were never repentant.”

Speaking with TheCable on the matter, Onyema Nwachukwu, defence headquarters’ spokesperson, said the releases were in line with Operation Safe Corridor.

“We’ve made some releases, that’s the truth. We should know what the operation is about. But take note, it’s not that we capture Boko Haram suspects and then go back and release them. No,” he said.

The operation he said is under the direct supervision of the defence headquarters and managed in conjunction with 13 civil organisations.

“The civil organisations involved in the operation include UNICEF, International Office on Migration (IOM) and relevant government ministries and security agencies. Not left out of the oversight structure of the operation is the Gombe state govt where the DRR facility is located. As a testimony to the effectiveness of the Safe Corridor initiative, so far, about 800 ex Boko Haram fighters who would have unleashed unimaginable terror on citizens have been admitted and out of which 287 of them have been successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, with many still undergoing the DRR programme,” he said.

At the launch of the operation in 2016, the military said the aim is to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members back into society.

sarrki:
What on earth was Pmb and the people making this decision thinking of ?

Just like that ?

Then let armed robbers, ritual killers and other criminals go after rehabilitation

It’s insensitivity to the guys in the war front

sarrki:
This alone can demoralized the troops at war front

The ineptitude and I don’t care attitude towards national issue of Pmb government gave rise and compounded our security and other matters

He’s the only one not to be blame if anything bass happened

Only the one to be praised if good things happen

Mr President your performance is total abysmal

Which commander will remain in Ethiopia after the Maiduguri carnage yesterday

Buhari failed God and Humanity

sarrki:
This alone can demoralized the troops at war front

The ineptitude and I don’t care attitude towards national issue of Pmb government gave rise and compounded our security and other matters

He’s the only one not to be blame if anything bass happened

Only the one to be praised if good things happen

Mr President your performance is total abysmal

Which commander will remain in Ethiopia after the Maiduguri carnage yesterday

Buhari failed God and Humanity

Bukky244:
Sarrki,

Glad the scales have fallen off your eyes. Guess it was because you were personally affected. Anyways, at least you can help to wake others from thier slumber. Its remaining that MBBQ guy, hope it wont take the life of somone in his immediate family to know that Buhari is trying to establish a homeland for his fulani people in Nigeria.

Tumbulum:
BBQ is beyond redemption bro. That guy is an eternal slave of the caliphate and the Muhammad buhari movement.
How can terrorist be released and you expect people to keep fighting. I will simply leave my guns,pull my uniform and run to another country.

Bukky244:


I think the guy wants someone from the government to notice him. It is his own strategy to escape poverty.

NimrodEndOfDays:
hallelujah!! You are blind and can now see!!

NigeriaIsDoomed:
If they are wise they can organize a coup

FrLukas:
They should mutiny.

It is not easy seeing the people who killed your comrades at war being openly fed and then granted their freedom.

Buhari's fight against insurgency is as fake as his fight against corruption.

Unfortunately, it is the soldiers, the rank and file that are the sacrificial animals here for the games the North is playing.