Barely 24 hours after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders from the North-West geo-political region paid a solidarity visit on him, president Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the release of over 175 suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, who confirmed the order in a statement today said the “presidential order” would be implemented without delay
Olukolade informed that the suspected terrorists were arrested in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, which have been under emergency rule since May.
He added that 157 of the detainees would be released from military facilities in Borno State, nine from Yobe State and one from Adamawa State.
He said other suspects in the category of those penciled down for release would soon be set free.
According to him, the suspects will be handed over to their respective state governments.
Olukolade added, “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.
“Of the number, 157 are from facilities in Borno, nine from Yobe and one from Adamawa.
“More suspects in this category are also to benefit in the present exercise. The suspects will be released to their respective state governments.”
The Defence Headquarters had released all women and children arrested in the three states in connection with terrorism on a similar directive from the President in May 2013.
Olukolade had said then that “the move was “in furtherance of the Federal Government’s position in response to requests by the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation.”
