BREAKING: Army handsover 275 Boko Haram detainees (updated)

– The Nigerian army has made an official handover of 275 suspected Boko Haram members, after investigations show they have nothing to do with the insurgency in the northeast

– Governor Kashim Shettima has promised to help the detainees fit back into the society, by assisting them with vocational training

About 275 detainees who were arrested, investigated and cleared by the military in connection to Boko Haram, have been handed-over to the Borno state government.

The detainees were handed over to Governor Kashim Shettima at Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri.

Major Umaru, the Theater Commander of the Operation Zaman Lafiya Dole said the freed detainees include 271 Nigerians and two nationals each of the republics of Cameroon and Niger.

“‘Today we are releasing 275 persons who have been in detention over suspicion of being involved in terrorism.

“‘Our crack team of joint investigators has screened and cleared the persons that are in the process of being released here today,” he said.

He said that the detainees included 142 males, 49 females, 22 under aged and 50 children of cleared females.

“The persons being released comprise 142 males 49 females, 22 under aged, 50 children of cleared females, two Nigeriens and two Cameroonians,” the theatre commander said.

Umaru expressed sadness over their detention and urged them to consider it as their contribution to efforts to return peace in the country.

The Governor on his part called on the freed detainees to remain law abiding citizens.

He presented cash and clothing materials to them and pledged to vocationally train them.

Below are photos from the hand-over ceremony.

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