Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the release of all
women held in connection with “terrorist activity”, the defence ministry
says.
The decision was aimed at enhancing peace efforts in Nigeria, it added.
The army is conducting an offensive in three states, where an
emergency was declared last week to fight the militant Islamist group
Boko Haram.
The group had set the release of women and children as a condition for talks with the government.
More than 2,000 people have died in the conflict in Nigeria since
Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009 to create an Islamic state.
Earlier this month, it said it had abducted women and teenage girls
in response to the security forces arresting the relatives of its
fighters.
It said it would treat them as “slaves”.
Human rights concerns
The defence ministry said a number of suspects detained for
“terrorist activities” would be handed to state governments for “further
rehabilitation” before being released.
“The measure, which is in line with presidential magnanimity to
enhance peace efforts in the country, will result in freedom for
suspects, including all women under custody,” it added, in a statement.
BBC Hausa Editor Mansur Liman says the decision signals that Mr
Jonathan has not shut the door to talks with Boko Haram, despite
ordering a military offensive against the group.
Boko Haram will have to decide whether it wants to reciprocate by
freeing the hostages it is holding and entering into talks to end the
insurgency, he adds.
Mr Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three north-eastern
states – Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, where Boko Haram has been most active.
Some 2,000 soldiers were deployed to the region last week, in the biggest campaign to date against Boko Haram.
The military says it has also carried out air strikes, destroying the group’s bases.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged the Nigerian army to show
restraint and not violate human rights as it pursues the militants.
Mr Kerry said there were “credible allegations” of “gross human rights violations” by the Nigerian military.
Last November, Amnesty International accused Nigeria’s security
forces of carrying out widespread abuses in their campaign against Boko
Haram, including extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and
torture.
Source: BBC
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