The Punch reports that the Nigerian military on Wednesday, July 14, reportedly released 1009 former Boko Haram insurgents, who had been in military custody at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The 1009 former Boko Haram insurgents were handed over to the Borno State Government in a secret ceremony that was initially billed to take place at an earlier date but was suspended indefinitely by the military authorities at the wake of the appointment of the new COAS.
Sources in the army told the publication that the ex-terrorists were handed over to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, who represented the state government at the event.
According to Punch, the officer said:
“The army handed 1,009 Boko Haram insurgents to the state government today (Wednesday). It was done in secret. We were warned not to allow journalists to the venue.”