Anthony Iwuoma
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has blasted the Federal Government over its alleged secret release of about 100 Boko Haram terrorists from Kirikiri Prison, in Lagos State.
Although the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has neither confirmed nor debunked the report, a viral report claimed that the terrorists were released in exchange for the freedom of the kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna train travellers.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, at the passing out parade and commissioning ceremony of cadets of Course 69 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), confirmed that he had granted amnesty to the terrorists.
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However, in a statement, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused the president of lacking in transparency in the way he handles security issues, adding that Buhari’s action shows the alleged complicity of his administration in the impasse.
The group called on the Buhari government to, without further delay, explain to Nigerians how the over 100 terrorists were set free from the Kirikiri prison, having been reportedly held since 2009 without trial.
HURIWA said: “Nigerians are shocked at the latest antics of the regime of President Muhammadu in the reported release of over 100 Boko Haram terrorists from the Kirikiri prison shows the total absence of transparency and accountability in the fight on terror.
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“The secrecy behind the intermittent releases of terrorists under different guises by the current government is abysmal and anti-people and illegal.
“The recent release of Boko Haram convicted terrorists at Lagos prison validates claims by a former Navy Commodore, Kunle Olawunmi, who said on live television in August 2021 that Boko Haram has moneybags in Aso Rock and the National Assembly. In September 2020, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the late Obadiah Mailafia, also said a serving northern governor was a Boko Haram leader.”