Some soldiers at the war front in the north-east have expressed disappointment over the release of 1,400 ”repentant” Boko Haram suspects.

Babakura Jato, commissioner of information in Borno state, on Monday, told The PUNCH that 1,400 had been released in three tranches since Operation Safe Corridor programme was launched.

Operation Safe Corridor is an initiative for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation of all ex-Boko Haram members.

Jato said the majority of them have cleared suspects.

“These were people who were suspected of being members of Boko Haram and it was discovered that they were not,” he said.

“The rest are children of Boko Haram or actual Boko Haram members. I cannot give you a breakdown of the figure now for security reasons.”

He also said he was aware of the allegation that some of those released had gone back to terrorism, but he added that some of these claims were mere speculation.

Reacting to the development, soldiers, who confirmed the release of the suspects to TheCable on Tuesday, said they did not understand why suspected Boko Haram members are being released in large numbers.

“A lot of soldiers are not happy about this. We were there at the Maimalari barracks when some of these Boko Haram people were released,” one of the soldiers said.

“The authorities are releasing them, but Boko Haram is killing soldiers that they capture. This does not make sense to us at all. We continue to sweep across the bushes to flush these people out, and then the government will release them. Does that not amount to wasted efforts?”

Another soldier said he believes most of the released suspects find their way back to crime.

“You wonder why Boko Haram members are on the increase? When we arrest them and bring them here, some top people would come and start negotiating their release. But, I will tell you some of these so-called suspects are returning to the bush and they were never repentant.”

Speaking with TheCable on the matter, Onyema Nwachukwu, defence headquarters’ spokesperson, said the releases were in line with Operation Safe Corridor.

“We’ve made some releases, that’s the truth. We should know what the operation is about. But take note, it’s not that we capture Boko Haram suspects and then go back and release them. No,” he said.

The operation he said is under the direct supervision of the defence headquarters and managed in conjunction with 13 civil organisations.

“The civil organisations involved in the operation include UNICEF, International Office on Migration (IOM) and relevant government ministries and security agencies. Not left out of the oversight structure of the operation is the Gombe state govt where the DRR facility is located. As a testimony to the effectiveness of the Safe Corridor initiative, so far, about 800 ex Boko Haram fighters who would have unleashed unimaginable terror on citizens have been admitted and out of which 287 of them have been successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, with many still undergoing the DRR programme,” he said.

At the launch of the operation in 2016, the military said the aim is to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members back into society.

The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to a trending tweet from @TheRealDayne showing pictures purported to be the EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office Holding Cell. The Commission hereby states that the tweet is not just the imagination of its author, but a mischief and a calculated attempt to smear the hard-earned reputation of the Commission.

Contrary to the fake pictures circulated by @TheRealDayne, the facility in Port Harcourt Zonal Office, like all other EFCC cells, boasts of a high degree of decency and therefore, cannot be the open dumping facility, surrounded by razor-wired walls, depicted in the picture that was mischievously circulated.

The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to a trending tweet from @TheRealDayne showing pictures purported to be the EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office Holding Cell. The Commission hereby states that the tweet is not just the imagination of its author, but a mischief and a calculated attempt to smear the hard-earned reputation of the Commission.

Contrary to the fake pictures circulated by @TheRealDayne, the facility in Port Harcourt Zonal Office, like all other EFCC cells, boasts of a high degree of decency and therefore, cannot be the open dumping facility, surrounded by razor-wired walls, depicted in the picture that was mischievously circulated.

The Ohanaeze Youth Council has called on members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to stay away from Afaraukwu, home of Nnamdi Kanu as plans to lay his parents to rest on Friday are at top gear.

OYC also said it will resist any form of intimidation, harassment or arrest of anyone unjustly during the burial of Kanu’s father who is the Paramount Ruler Of Afaraukwu Community, HRM Eze Isaac Kanu and His Wife.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide in a release signed by the President General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the Secretary General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said Igbo Customs and Traditional demands that Certain positive rituals are carried Out especially during Burial Rites of any Igbo Paramount Ruler, which doesn’t require the Presence of Strangers and Non Igbos.

They appealed to the Police, Army and other Paramilitary forces to keep a distance from the venue of the burial.

While insisting that Biafra agitators are peaceful and non-violent, OYC called on Abia state Commissioner of Police, CP Okon to Withdraw his threat of unleashing Mayhem against his fellow citizens, and tactically tender unreserved apology to IPOB, saying it is unprofessional of a senior policeman.

Read full release below..

(1) Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide admonished Security agents not to taste the wrath Of Biafra agitators or Ndigbo,as The Paramount Ruler Of Afaraukwu Community,HRM Eze Isaac Kanu and His Wife will be laid to rest on Friday February 14 2020, We Commend the tactical withdrawal of Security agents at least 1km around the Vacinity of Afaraukwu Community but OYC will not tolerate any form Intimidation, Harrassment, Provocative show of force, Arrest and Killing of any Igbo Man, Under the guise of maintaining peace where there’s no Crisis,We wish to remind Security Agents that Igbo Customs and Traditional demands that Certain positive rituals are carried Out especially during Burial Rites of any Igbo Paramount Ruler, which doesn’t require the Presence of Strangers and Non Igbos,At Such Police, Army and other Paramilitary forces should Vacate Umuahia Metropolis and be at the rear, to avert avoidable Clashes with the Youths doing Traditional rituals and ceremonies in honour of the late King,whose Kingdom is part of the Ancient Kingdom of Ibeku Egwu Assa, the covers the heart of Umuahia Metropolis.

(2) OYC reminds Police,on the need to stop Further Use of Provocative and inciting Media Releases and Interviews to incur the Wrath Of the people during the Burial Rites of the Paramount Ruler Of Afaraukwu Community HRM Eze Isaac Kanu and His Wife, as there will be influx of Foreign dignitaries from all over the World, they are going to Use the opportunity to assess if the allegations against the Nigerian Police,Army of Harrassment are True and We Urge CP Okon Abia State Police to Withdraw his threat of unleashing Mayhem against his citizens, and tactically tender unreserved apology to Ipob, as it’s Unprofessional and against the ethics of the profession, Biafra Agitators are not violent in nature and Urge CP Okon not to create an opportunity to make a peaceful State of Abia be on flames,as OYC will engage with all stateholders to avert avoidable arrest or killing of Any Igbo Youth during the Burial Rites.

(3) Finally, OYC Urge Biafra Agitators especially Ipob members to join other sympathisers of the late Family Of The Paramount Ruler Of Afaraukwu Community HRM Eze Isaac Kanu, to be of good Conduct and avoid Using anything that would jeopardize the process of according the King and Queen the befitting Burial Rites according to Customs demands, We Should not allow the repeat Of “Oraifite” sad Episode and they Should not engaged security agents in anyway, We will ensure that We Avert avoidable Bloodshed during the Burial, OYC Plead with Ipob members not to display any Biafra flags or Uniforms,as there’s no reason to lose any Life while trying to Bury the King and Queen of Afaraukwu Community, Abia is Safe and Secured.there should be no bloodshed or Massacre,it will be resisted.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
President General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide

Mazi Okwu Nnabuike
Secretary General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide