TheCable

The Nigerian army has given the sum of N100, 000 to each of the 42 civilians who were released after months of detention over suspected membership of Boko Haram.

Sani Usman, a colonel and deputy director, army public relations, disclosed this in Maiduguri on Thursday, while handing over the suspects to Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno state.

Usman said the authorities decided to release them after conducting investigation which revealed that they have no affiliation to the insurgents.

“They were released because we found out that they have nothing to do with Boko Haram activities,” he said.

“Out of the 42 suspects cleared by the military this month, three are from the neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Chad and Cameroon.

“We in the Nigeria army will continue to do our best in the ongoing fight against insurgency until we get rid of this problem.”

Responding, Shettima commended the army for the development, promising to assist the suspects reintegrate into the society.

The governor charged the military not to relent in the quest to put an end to insurgency.

“I am going to assist you to go back and complete your studies. Others will also be taken care of,” he said.