Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, while making this disclosure, said that the “joint intelligence community investigated and authorised the release of these prisoners.”
Usman said the release was part of Nigeria’s National Army Day, which was held on July 6, to commemorate the first shots of Nigeria’s Civil War at Garaken, Cross River State.
The detainees who were reportedly released to the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, include 40 boys, 24 women, 100 adult men and 18 children.
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Also, as part of events tied to the Army Day celebration, Usman said that the army would provide a two-day free medical treatment for Borno State residents, and award Purple Heart and Operation Zaman Lafiya medals to soldiers fighting Boko Haram.
Meanwhile, the military confirmed that more Boko Haram detainees will be released after being cleared by its joint intelligence cell.
You will recall that last month, the Nigerian army handed over 128 detainees who were suspected of being involved with the Boko Haram terror group in Borno, to the state governor.