Boko Haram kills 3 vigilante members in Monguno, As Army Frees Another 125 Suspected Terrorists

By Blogger 

Some of the freed suspects
(Photo by Blogger)

At least three members of the Nigeria Vigilante Group were on Saturday killed during an attack on Monguno town of Borno state when Boko Haram insurgents attacked. 

An official of the Nigerian Vigilante Group, Abbas Gava told this blogger that three members of his group had died along side several others. 

"I have the confirmation from my colleagues that three members of our vigilante group were killed during the attack on Monguno, but I don't have details on other civilian casualties for now. 

The attack came at a time when the Nigerian army officials were handing over some suspected Boko Haram members were being handed over to the Borno state government. 

The 7 Division of the Nigeria Army in Maiduguri, yesterday, freed and handed over to Borno State government some 125 persons who were arrested months ago as Boko Haram suspects, but later found to be innocent.

This was coming two days after the army at the same Division earlier released 42 other Boko Haram suspects.

Spokesman of the 7 Division, Maiduguri, Col Usman Sani, who led the freed detainees to government house Maiduguri said the suspects were arrested on September 23, 2014 during a military raid of vehicles conveying livestock to the southern part of the country. 

Col Usman said after thorough military investigation of some arrested 152 suspects, 125 were deemed clean and were asked to be released by the army headquarters.

Presenting the suspects to Governor Shettima, the army Divisional spokesman said, “The 125 have been certified free of all allegations and we’re directed by army headquarters to hand them over to the state government for onward return to their respective families”.

One of the released detainees told journalists in a separate interview that they spent 45 days in the military detention facility in Biu town.

Some of the freed suspects
(Photo by Blogger)

“We had spent over 45 days in military detention but we thank God that our lives were spared. We went through pains and suffering there, but we can’t blame them much since they were magnanimous to release us in this time when human life is no longer valued”, said Taujul Girema Dusila, a 35 years old livestock merchant.

Another freed suspect, Abba Ali, a 31 years old truck driver said most of them were natives of Damboa local government in Borno State but had to flee the town to Gombi in Adamawa state.