The 3,032 soldiers, who were recently pardoned by the Nigerian Army, have been deployed to the thick of the battle against Boko Haram insurgents.

The soldiers were dismissed from the Army in 2014 over offences ranging from disobedience of their commanders and as well as refusing to fight the insurgents without weapons.

Their cases were recently reviewed by a military panel led by the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Maj. Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade.

Punch reports that after the completion of a two-week reorientation training programme at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, Niger State, the soldiers were sent to the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri.

A source revealed to Punch that the soldiers were deployed to Maiduguri, last week.

The source was quoted to have said: “The Army authorities have re-launched the 3032 soldiers who were granted pardon by the review panel into the mission area.

“The soldiers were moved to the 7 Division Headquarters where they are expected to be deployed in various locations in the conflict area.

“You know that they were moved to the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, for a two week training programme for their readmission into the service.

“They completed the course and have been deployed in the North-East sometime last week to add more value to the operation.”