The Defence Headquarters has inaugurated an 18-member committee to screen and categorise persons apprehended in connection with terrorism, in the ongoing security operations in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno States.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information.
The statement said the inauguration was in furtherance of measures to observe the legal rights of persons involved.
According to the statement, the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, while inaugurating the committee, charged the team to see their assignment as a national call to duty.
Mr. Ibrahim, represented by Major General Lawrence Ngubane, the Chief of Training and Operations at the defence headquarters, urged the members to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the outcome.
“The team, which will classify the detainees, comprises experienced legal officers from security agencies as well as Ministry of Justice and offices of Attorney General of the Federation,” it said.
The statement also said the committee is to submit a report to the Chief of Defence Staff within one month.
It stated that the recommendation should be with regards to prosecution, further investigation, deportation and or unconditional release of the detainees.
