Boko Haram pardon: 23 women, 35 kids freed

In neigbouring Yobe  State,  about the same time, the Join Task Force (JTF) yesterday also released 38  Boko Haram suspects detained under its custody in compliance with the directives of the Defense Headquarters. Military authorities had last week announced that some suspected sect members would be freed from detention and handed to state governments to “rehabilitate” […]

In neigbouring Yobe  State,  about the same time, the Join Task Force (JTF) yesterday also released 38  Boko Haram suspects detained under its custody in compliance with the directives of the Defense Headquarters.
 Military authorities had last week announced that some suspected sect members would be freed from detention and handed to state governments to “rehabilitate” and subsequently reunite them with their relations.
 The suspects who comprises of six women and 14 children were handed over to Governor Kashim Shettima by the JTF at the council chambers of the Borno State Government House.
 Spokesman of the task force, Lt. Col Sagir Musa said the suspects were handed over to the state government on behalf of the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim.
 Governor Shettima commended President Jonathan for releasing the suspects, saying the state will integrate them back into the society.
 He directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take custody of the children before hand over to their parents, adding that that would be after an under taking that they would be of good behavior.
  He also said the women among them will by Monday be sent to the state vocational training center after which they will be given kit to work with after their graduation.
 Some of the children confessed to working for Boko Haram members by monitoring the movement of soldiers and reporting back to the sect members.
 One of the teenagers also revealed that they were paid N5,000 and provided with fuel in kegs to set schools ablaze in Maiduguri. “We were given petrol by our bosses to set some schools ablaze which we did within Maiduguri and we were paid N5,000,” he said.
In Yobe State, those released included 17 women and 21 children who were also presented to the state government by the JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus.
Speaking while handing the suspects to the Yobe State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Ahmed Mustapha Goneri, Lazarus said  he hope the release will serve the purpose for which it was intended, pointing out that other detainees would also be freed subsequently in batches.
Gonori who received the detainees on behalf of the state government thanked the JTF for the freedom granted the detainees, saying they would  be rehabilitated and integrated into the society.
He assured that the state government will give those released  the needed support and trade to start up life afresh, adding that the development will by the grace of God speed up the much awaited peace process.
A detainee who refused to give her name said her joy is reuniting with her family and other relatives.