Buhari castigated by human rights groups over claims he released 10 terrorists in exchange for train abductees

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari us reported to have secretly freed about 100 Boko Haram terrorists being held by security operatives in exchange for passengers kidnapped on the Abuja-Kaduna train earlier this year.

On March 28, heavily armed gun men attacked a Abuja to Kaduna train, killing about a dozen during the attack and abducting a further 162 persons. Following the kidnapping, negotiations between the terrorists and the government opened, resulting in the gradual release of the hostages in several batches.

However, human right groups have claimed that the terrorists only released their victims after the government let about 100 of their colleagues go. According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, what happened was a trade-off and so far, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has not debunked the report.

Earlier this month, at the passing out parade and commissioning ceremony of cadets of Course 69 of the Nigerian Defence Academy, President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed that his government had granted amnesty to terrorists. Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (Huriwa) has subsequently slammed him, accusing his government of a lack of transparency in dealing with top security matters.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, Huriwa's national coordinator, said the president’s action shows the alleged complicity of the current administration. He called on the Buhari government to without further delay, explain to Nigerians how the over 100 terrorists who have held since 2009 without trial. were set free from Kirikiri Prison.

 “Nigerians are shocked at the latest antics of the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari in the reported release of over 100 Boko Haram terrorists from Kirikiri Prison, showing the total absence of transparency and accountability in the fight on terror. The secrecy behind the intermittent releases of terrorists under different guises by the current government is abysmal, anti-people and illegal.

“The recent release of Boko Haram convicted terrorists from a Lagos prison validates claims by 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,” Comrade Onwubiko added.