A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Monday, slammed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for lack of transparency in the alleged release of over 100 Boko Haram terrorists imprisoned at the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison, Lagos State.

HURIWA's National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said the alleged clandestine overnight release of the inmates again shows the alleged complicity of the Buhari’s nepotistic regime.

The group demanded an immediate explanation from the Buhari government over the reported release of over 100 terrorists from the Kirikiri prison who have been reportedly held since 2009 without trial.

According to reports, the insurgents were released as part of a swap deal for the release of travellers who were abducted from the Kaduna-bound train on March 28.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has yet to debunked the reports confirmed, especially by The Foundation for Investigative Journalism.

Last Thursday, Buhari was in Afaka, Kaduna State, at the passing-out parade and commissioning ceremony of cadets of Regular Course 69 of the Nigerian Defence Academy and he confirmed that “amnesty” was granted to terrorists.

“We have devised both military and non-military methods to intervene, and even rolled out an amnesty programme to rehabilitate repentant terrorists who surrendered and laid down their arms unconditionally,” the President said.

Aside from Buhari, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had at various times, confirmed that amnesty was granted to thousands of so-called repentant Boko Haram terrorists who were given capital and reintegrated into the society.

Onwubiko, while reacting to the development, 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 which shows total absence of transparency and accountability in the fight against 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 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.

“HURIWA calls on the government to come clean on the release of the Kirikiri inmates.”

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