The Borno State Government has cleared 500 suspects of terrorism and released them from the army detention facility at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, made this in Maiduguri while responding to a leader of some aggrieved women in Borno, Hajja Gana, who alleged that some of their innocent men and children were being held at the barracks.

Ms Gambo, who was speaking during a question and answer session at a public presentation of charters of demand from survivors, victims and de-radicalised women in Borno, organised by a non-governmental organisation, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, said those released in batches were handed over to the Borno State Government.

“The latest batch released last week was 28 in number,” Ms Gambo said.

She assured those whose relations were arrested by the military in connection with the insurgency to entertain no fear as long as such relations were innocent.

Ms Gambo said that the state government was working closely with the military to ensure justice and fairness to suspects.

The commissioner lauded the foundation for being at the forefront of seeking justice for the vulnerable and promoting peace and reconciliation in the state.

She said the government would look into the charter of demand from the survivors and victims of the insurgency, adding that many of the demands were being addressed under the “Borno Model” following the mass surrender of insurgents and their families.

The commissioner said that the Borno Model was a community-based approach involving stakeholders.

Also speaking on innocent persons in detention, the Executive Director of Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, lauded the army for providing periodical access to the foundation to visit those in detention at Giwa barracks.

Ms Allamin also noted the periodical release of those identified as innocent and urged the military to sustain the tempo to ensure that no innocent member of society suffered for the crime he or she did not commit.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation and review of the charter of demand by the Director, Center for Peace, Development and Diplomatic Studies, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu.

(NAN)