President Muhammadu Buhari has, Monday, July 9, ordered the release of perceived “repentant” 183 teenage Boko Haram fighters by the Nigerian Army.
The terrorists, who were previously working with Boko Haram terrorists, were released to officials of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) “for further rehabilitation”.
The handover event took place in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the hub of Boko Haram activities.
Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Nicholas Rogers conducted the release ceremony of the teenagers which comprised of 175 males and 8 females.
President Buhari had, earlier this year, promised that he will offer amnesty to members of the Boko Haram terrorists that are willing to abandon the course.
While receiving freed schoolgirls abducted from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State, by the terrorists, Buhari promised:
“While further efforts are being made to secure the release of every abducted citizen in Nigeria, Government is ever ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group, who show strong commitment in that regard.”
Recently, the President ordered the release and reintegration of 95 former Boko Haram members into the society.
The released terrorists were freed after some training on vocational skills acquisition and rehabilitation courses by Army personnels.
They were trained and reinstated by the Army wing charged with the responsibility of Deracialising, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) in Gombe State, as well as the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
In another development, the Nigerian Army has embarked on a medical outreach for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State as part of activities to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018.
Speaking while flagging of the event, the Acting Commander of the Brigade, Colonel Adamu Nura, urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the free medical outreach.
He emphasised that the exercise is part of the civil- military activities of the Nigerian Army to ensure that the people received medical attention.
Also speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Bulama Isah Bukar (Awusari A) commended the Nigerian Army for the kind gesture as well as their sacrifices in ensuring that peace returned back to Bama.
The women leader in the area, Mrs Aisha Adamu also noted that the gesture will go a long way in ameliorating their plights and further strengthened the already existing cordial relationship between the troops and the host community.
Over, 1843 persons benefited from the medical outreach.
.ElombahNews