Most of the 71 persons released from a privately owned prison in Ngaoundere have been reunited with their families.

They were released from the facility by the military that raided a house in a Ngaoundere neighbourhood.

It has been confirmed that they were held captive by the head of an Islamic school who owned the house. The Koranic school master is also reported to have married two young inmates.

The latter who is currently in custody denies the allegations, observing that parents willingly brought their children to his facility considered a "correctional centre" and they have been contributing for their upkeep.

Some of the captives had spent close to three years in chains and had scars inflicted from beatings, officers told local media.

After receiving medical care, 65 of the 71 have been reunited with their families as investigation progresses.