TheCable

Kenneth Minimah, chief of army staff, has ordered the release of 183 Boko Haram suspects from detention cells in Maiduguri.

Minimah announced this on Monday when he led a delegation to visit Kashim Shettima, governor of Borno state.

He said the military decided to release the suspects who had been held for months after they were confirmed to be innocent.

The visit was in commemoration of the Nigeria Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

This year’s celebration held in the ancient city and Minimah explained that the choice of Maiduguri was to boost the morale of the troops tackling insurgency.

Responding, Shettima thanked the army for its role in the fight against insurgency, expressing delight that Maiduiguri hosted this year’s NADCEL.

‎The Nigeria army has released 182 Boko Haram suspects after investigations revealed they were innocent.

Also speaking with TheCable on Monday, Sani Usman, a colonel and army spokesman‎, said the suspects were released after the joint intelligence investigation committee cleared them of charges on membership of the insurgent group.

“One hundred and eighty two suspected Boko Haram terrorist detainees that were cleared by joint intelligence investigation committee and recommended for release were today handed over to the Borno state governor‎ by the chief of army staff,” he said.

“It is part of activities marking this year’s army day celebrations.”

The release of the detainees is coming a month after Amnesty International, human rights watchdog, accused the Nigerian military of gross human rights abuses‎, and specifically naming some past and present service chiefs as figures responsible for the abuses.

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to investigate the allegation, and he has subsequently set up a committee to do that.