Presidency to Release 164 linked boko Haram detainees

The authorities of the Defence Headquarters in Abuja have said that over 175 detained terror suspects are to regain freedom.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail on Friday that the military authorities are to release the suspects in line with a Presidential order.

The Defence spokesman said that the terror suspects were arrested in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa which have been under emergency rule.

Olukolade said that the suspects were earlier recommended for release by a Joint Investigation Team constituted by the Defence Headquarters in 2013.

He said that 157 of the detainees would be released from military facilities in Borno state, nine from Yobe State and one from Adamawa State.

According to him, the suspects would be handed over to their respective state governments.

He said, “Over 165 persons apprehended in the course of military operations on terror in three states in the North-East are to be released from custody in compliance with Presidential directive.

“The suspects are those earlier recommended for release by the Joint Investigation Team set up by the Defence Headquarters last year.

The Defence Spokesman explained that the 165 terror suspects are to be released because the categorisation made by the panel of military investigators gave sufficient reasons for their release. http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-orders-release-of-165-terror-suspects-2/