This was disclosed by the army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, who said that the “joint intelligence community investigated and authorised the release of these prisoners.”
He added that 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 40 boys, 24 women, 100 adult men and 18 children prisoners were reportedly released to the state governor.
In addition to the prisoners release, Colonel Usman said that the army was celebrating the opening of a new military centre. He revealed that the army would provide two days of free medical treatment for Borno State residents, and award Purple Heart and Operation Zaman Lafiya medals to soldiers fighting Boko Haram. All these events were tied to Nigeria’s National Army Day.
Meanwhile, the military has confirmed that more people detained for alleged links with the Boko Haram sect will be released after being cleared by its joint intelligence cell.
Last month, the Nigerian army handed over four foreigners and 124 Nigerians detained in connection with the Boko Haram terrorist group to the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.
At least two soldiers and 11 Boko Haram militants were yesterday killed in an attack on two remote military posts by the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad area, sources told Reuters news agency.
Chad is at the forefront of a regional effort to counter the militant group which controls small enclaves in remote parts of neighbouring North-East Nigeria from where it launches cross-border raids.
In an official statement made available to the news agency it said that two communities were attacked at dawn, referring to isolated villages near the lake where Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon meet.
“Three would-be suicide bombers were shot by soldiers as they approached a military base in the village of Bamou, although one militant was still able to detonate an explosive device that wounded 11 civilians at Bamou,” the statement said.
[Leadership]
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