By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The Nigerian military on Monday handed over 182 persons earlier suspected of having links with Boko Haram to the Borno State government, following their clearance after investigation.

The handing over was done at a military facility in the state by the Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah, a lieutenant general, after the Army Day celebration.

“They have been cleared. We have decided to hand them over to the Borno State government. They have been thoroughly investigated and acquitted of any involvement in the activities of Boko Haram or connected with the group,” Minimah said.

According to the army chief, the suspects were made up of 100 men, 24 women, 40 underage boys and 18 children.

Governor Kashim Shettima, while receiving the released persons, thanked the military for respecting their rights and promised that the state government would help to ease them back into the society.

Earlier, Minimah laid a wreath at the burial site of slain soldiers in the on-going war against insurgency and charged troops to win the war in honour of their dead colleagues.

“The only way to honour our officers and men who lie ahead of me is to ensure that this war is won and I promise that we will win this war,” Minimah said.

He also assured the families of the dead soldiers that the army would ensure that every entitlement was given to them.

The state governor, who also laid wreath, thanked the army for celebrating the day in the state.

“This singularly act of coming down to Maiduguri to celebrate the Army Day and coming to identify with us shall be written in gold,” Shettima said.

“Hundreds of our soldiers have died in this counter-insurgency war. We have to respect our fallen soldiers, we have to pray for the repose of their souls but most importantly we have to make their families realize that they did not die in vain,” the governor added.

Medals were awarded to soldiers of the 7^th Battalion, the military formation in charge of the war. Also honoured were injured soldiers while those who lost their lives were posthumously honoured as well.