BY ABDULLAHI ISAH, MAIDUGURI
Another set of 593 cleared Boko Haram suspects were handed over to the Borno State government by the Nigerian military for psycho social rehabilitation and integration into the society.
The Boko Haram suspects were among other suspected insurgents rescued by the Nigerian military during its operations that led to the recapture of Sambisa forest by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
While handing over the cleared suspects, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole , Major General Lucky Irabor said the exercise will be a continuous one and that investigation was still in progress on the remaining suspects under the custody of the military.
General Irabor, who was represented by Brigadier General Abdulrahman Kuliya handed over the suspects at the Rehabilitation Center, Maiduguri to the state government, assured that the suspects were now cleared and found not to have anything to do with insurgency.
He further explained that the release of the cleared Boko Haram suspects was in line with the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai and Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major Gen. Lucky Irabor that nobody will be allowed to stay under the military custody if not guilty or found wanting.
He said that so far only 469 were cleared and conveyed to the rehabilitation center, while the remaining 124 persons will soon be conveyed, adding that the delay was purely on logistics as they were fragile and had to be handled and treated with care due to their psycho social state.
Receiving the cleared suspects, Governor Kashim Shettima, who was representated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Amna Abubakar thanked the military for their efforts and assured that the people will be properly handled and catered for, as all arrangements have been put in place by the state government for their comfort.
Hajiya Abubakar said all the necessary facilities for their training and comfort have been provided by the state government including recreational facilities, health facility and ambulance, adequate spacious accommodation with mattresses and pillows, praying mats,, adequate foodstuff and other non food items .
UNICEF was on ground on advocacy mission to provide psycho social training and services to the traumatized cleared Boko Haram suspects as most of the them are children and women as well as old aged males.
