Jigawa and Kano states confirmed yesterday that 254 of the over 400 had returned home.
The SSS was said to be interacting with a few who the agency may trace to their states to ascertain that they have legitimate means of livelihood. But the military was silent on the suspected Boko Haram kingpin, who was allegedly found among the suspects.
According to military sources, all the suspects have been released from the detention facility of the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. “After interrogation, these suspects were handed over to the SSS. More than 400 of them have been released after documentation. A few of them are still interacting with the SSS. The agency will only trace the villages or towns where these few come from to ascertain their claims.”
Another source said: “So far, most of these suspects have no issues but the SSS is still trying to tidy up a few things. We are just being proactive in our activities in view of the rising insurgency nationwide.”
The 486 suspects were arrested penultimate Sunday morning by officers and men of the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Their arrest attracted protests from the Hausa community in Rivers State, some prominent Northerners and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
