Army Chief Under Fire For Releasing Boko Haram Suspects
Former commissioner of police, Delta state,
Ikechukwu Aduba, has condemned the recent release of 128 suspected Boko
Haram members by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buaratai.
Aduba, who described the release as the “height of illegality,” said it was a fundamental breach of the constitution, Vanguard reports.
According to him, the suspects should have been handed over the police, who were the foremost internal security agency.
“After screening, the case file ought to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution to determine their culpability before release. Usurpation of police function is sending a wrong signal,” he said.
The former commissioner commended the military for their efforts so far but advised them to stay confined to their role under Internal Security Operations and rule of law.
He called on the federal government to strengthen the police by overhauling, weeding and equipping them, if they feel the police is weak.
The army had released 128 suspected Boko Haram members arrested in different locations of Borno state last Wednesday, September 9.
Buaratai, who handed the Boko Haram suspects to the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said the 128 persons comprising 109 men, 7 women, 11 under aged and one child were found innocent after thorough investigations jointly carried out by intelligence officers of the Army, police, Department of State Security and representatives of the Borno state government.
Aduba, who described the release as the “height of illegality,” said it was a fundamental breach of the constitution, Vanguard reports.
According to him, the suspects should have been handed over the police, who were the foremost internal security agency.
“After screening, the case file ought to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution to determine their culpability before release. Usurpation of police function is sending a wrong signal,” he said.
The former commissioner commended the military for their efforts so far but advised them to stay confined to their role under Internal Security Operations and rule of law.
He called on the federal government to strengthen the police by overhauling, weeding and equipping them, if they feel the police is weak.
The army had released 128 suspected Boko Haram members arrested in different locations of Borno state last Wednesday, September 9.
Buaratai, who handed the Boko Haram suspects to the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said the 128 persons comprising 109 men, 7 women, 11 under aged and one child were found innocent after thorough investigations jointly carried out by intelligence officers of the Army, police, Department of State Security and representatives of the Borno state government.
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