Nigerian court frees 300 Boko Haram suspects

In a significant development, the Nigerian military announced the release of over 300 individuals previously suspected of belonging to the group Boko Haram.

This decision follows a court ruling in northeastern Borno state, the epicenter of the insurgency, which found no evidence to support the charges against them.

Boko Haram, established in 2009, has wreaked havoc across Nigeria, aiming to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic state. Their brutal insurgency has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, creating a dire humanitarian crisis.

According to Major General Edward Buba, a defense spokesperson, the court’s verdict in Borno state paves the way for the release of the 313 detainees.

“Following investigations and related proceedings,” Buba explained during a press conference in Abuja, “the court ordered their release due to insufficient evidence.”

The Department of Prosecution under the Federal Ministry of Justice handled the cases. The released individuals will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further measures, although details regarding their detention location and duration remain undisclosed.

Nigeria operates an amnesty program for repentant jihadists, involving rehabilitation before reintegration. However, this program has generated friction within certain communities.

Boko Haram gained global notoriety in 2014 with the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok. This sparked the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, a worldwide movement demanding their return. Ten years later, the fate of many girls remains unknown.

Source » thesudantimes.com