OUTRAGE: Borno Releases 500 Terrorists, Claims Quran Oath Will Stop Them From Killing
The Borno State Government has sparked public outrage by releasing 500 suspects of terrorism from the Nigerian Army detention facility at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, claiming that they have repented and sworn an oath with the Quran not to return to violence.
The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, announced this on Wednesday in Maiduguri, while addressing a group of aggrieved women who protested the detention of their innocent men and children by the military.
Mrs Gambo said the release of the suspects was part of the “Borno Model” of de-radicalization and reintegration of former insurgents and their families, who have surrendered to the authorities in large numbers.
She said the state government is working closely with the military to ensure justice and fairness to all suspects, and that those who are cleared of any involvement in terrorism are handed over to the state government.
She said the latest batch of 28 suspects were released last week, bringing the total number of freed suspects to 500.
She assured the women that their relations who are still in detention will be released as soon as they are proven innocent.
She also praised the efforts of an indigenous NGO, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, for championing the cause of justice and peace for the survivors, victims and de-radicalized women in Borno.
She said the government will look into the charter of demand presented by the foundation, which seeks to address the needs and rights of the affected women.
The commissioner said the Borno Model is a community-based approach that involves all stakeholders, including traditional, religious and civil society leaders, in the process of healing and reconciliation.
However, many Nigerians have expressed shock and anger over the release of the suspects, questioning the credibility and effectiveness of the Borno Model and the Quran oath.
They have accused the state government of being insensitive and irresponsible, and endangering the lives and security of the citizens.
They have also called for the immediate reversal of the decision and the prosecution of the suspects for their crimes.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Allamin Foundation, Hamsatu Allamin, commended the Army for granting the foundation periodic access to visit those in detention at Giwa Barracks.
He said the foundation has been able to identify and secure the release of many innocent persons who were wrongly arrested or detained by the military.
He urged the military to continue to cooperate with the foundation and the state government to ensure that no innocent person suffers for a crime he or she did not commit.
The event also featured the presentation and review of the charter of demand by Abubakar Mu’azu, a professor is the Director of, Centre for Peace, Development and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Maiduguri..
