The Nigerian Army on Monday released 182 detainees recently cleared of any association with the Boko Haram insurgents.
Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, the Chief of Army Staff, presented the detainees to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State at a ceremony in Maiduguri.
Minimah said the detainees were arrested few months back in Borno State and other parts of the country.
He said the military decided to release them after they had been cleared by an investigation panel.
Minimah said the detainees included 100 men, 24 women,18 teenagers and 40 children.
He said: “We are presenting the detainees to the state government after they have been cleared of being members of terrorists group.
“We believe that the state government will work towards reintegrating them back to the society.”
Receiving the affected persons, Shettima commended the military for the gesture, adding: “By releasing the detainees, the military has proven to the world that it is committed to the rule of law.
“The action has also shown that the Nigerian military has the fear of God in its actions.”
Shettima said the state government would assist some of the detainees with cash to start business, while those wishing to go back to school would be encouraged to do.
He presented cash and clothing materials to each of the detainees.
NAN.