President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Defence Headquarters to release all women and children who were arrested in connection with the alleged terrorist activities of Boko Haram.<\/p>\n
The gesture is aimed at re-orientating the women and children, a source who prefers to remain anonymous told Pointblanknews.com.<\/p>\n
According to a statement issued by the Defence Spokesman, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the order for the release of women, minors and others arrested over suspected terrorist activities had been communicated to field units and the Joint Task Force.<\/p>\n
The statement said: \u201cConsequent upon the directives of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Defence Headquarters will be releasing from detention a number of persons being held in connection with terrorist activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe move is in furtherance of the Federal Government position in response to requests by the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation.<\/p>\n
The measure which is in line with Presidential magnanimity to enhance peace efforts in the country will result in freedom for suspects including all women under custody.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe details of the directives and those to benefit from this gesture have been communicated to field units and the Joint Task Force.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe beneficiaries will be released to the state governors who will be involved in further rehabilitation before these suspects are released to their respective community leaders\/relations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement added: \u201cAs the operation to rid our country of terrorist activities continues, the Defence Headquarters wishes to reassure Nigerians that the Nigerian military is quite capable and ready to discharge this duty professionally and creditably well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe report therefore in a section of the press that Nigerian troops are to be withdrawn from Mali to face the ongoing insurgency is a complete falsehood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is certainly no need for such action now as the human and material resources of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are being meticulously deployed and quite able to meet its present internal and external assignments.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact the normal and scheduled rotation of troops in various missions will continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis routine should not be misunderstood or misrepresented to misinform Nigerians and the international community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Defence Headquarters to release all women and children who were arrested in connection with the alleged terrorist activities of Boko Haram. The gesture is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n