Soldiers React As FG Frees 1,400 Repentant Boko Haram Suspects

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer
7,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists Surrender In 1 week – Army

Ad

SERAP Writes Tinubu, Demands Transparency in INEC’s Boss nomination

By Abiola Olawale The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to unveil the details of the selection process for the next Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman. With Professor Mahmood Yakubu's decade-long tenure set to expire in November 2025, SERAP warned that opacity in the appointment of the next…

Dangote Refinery: Crisis Cripples oil, gas supplies as PENGASSAN Declares Nationwide Strike

By Abiola Olawale In an escalation of tensions in Nigeria's oil and gas sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, September 29, 2025. The move comes in response to what the union described as the "unlawful dismissal" of over 800 Nigerian workers…

5 Countries That Offer Loans For Buying Property Overseas

Securing a mortgage for the purpose of buying property overseas is possible in select countries. It’s true that it can be more challenging, as many foreign banks are cautious about lending to non-residents. It’s also true that the terms will likely be different from what you’re used to, especially if you’re American. Don’t expect a…

Ad

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.

Read also:


Why We Surrendered To FG – Ex-Boko Haram Terrorists

Army Denies Recruiting Boko Haram Ex-FightersSoldiers React As FG Frees 1,400 Repentant Boko Haram Suspects

 

Operation Safe Corridor is an initiative for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation of all the Repentant Boko Haram 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.”

“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.

Read also:


82 Chibok Girls Released in a Swap Deal for Boko Haram Detainees – Presidency

Boko Haram Alert: Confusion As Army Searches UN Staff House

Boko Haram: Army Frees 978 Detained Suspects

Army Officers, Policemen arrested as saboteurs and collaborators of Boko Haram

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp