The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)

  • Police will collaborate with CJTF to tackle insecurity – CP

    Police will collaborate with CJTF to tackle insecurity – CP

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to address the growing insecurity in the nation’s capital.

    This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, during an emergency meeting and the unveiling of the CJTF operation office in Abuja.

    The Commissioner, represented by Mr. Usman A. Abini, the APO District Police Officer, praised the efforts of the CJTF in filling the gaps left by manpower shortages within the police force.

    “The challenges that we’ve always had in terms of manpower and visibility are always bridged by the presence of the CJTF,” Abini said.

    He further emphasised the commitment of the police to work closely with the CJTF.

    “We are always ready to synergise with you and work with you in the operational field, administration, and any other area that will improve the lives of our citizens,” he added.

    The CJTF’s collaboration with the police has been most visible in joint operations in various parts of the FCT, particularly at night, in areas such as the APO division.

    Read Also: Why Nigerian Army focuses on logistics training, others – Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka

    According to the Commissioner, these partnerships have been instrumental in boosting security and curbing criminal activities.

    “The CJTF is very close to the members of the public, which has been invaluable in our operations,” Abini noted, highlighting the role of the task force in gathering intelligence and engaging with communities.

    Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Civilian Joint Task Force of Nigeria (CJTFN), Prof. Muhammed Kailami, emphasised the importance of national unity and security.

    “Nigeria’s unity is a task that must be done, and that is what we are after,” he said.

    Kailami described the CJTF’s work as a sacrifice, noting that members are unpaid volunteers working with both the police and the army to ensure safety.

    He expressed hope that the government would formalise the CJTF’s role in the future by providing salaries and equipment.

  • 1, 700 children linked with armed group in Borno released – UNICEF

    United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Friday said 1, 700 children among the ranks of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the insurgency war in Borno had been released.

    UNICEF’s Country Representative, Mohammed Fall, stated this at the formal handover of the second batch of 894 children by the CJTF to their families, in Maiduguri.

    CJTF is a local militia group formed in 2013 to assist the military and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency, and to protect communities from insurgents’ attack.

    However, it had recruited children in its ranks to discharge its responsibility.

    Fall disclosed that the first batch of 833 children were released by the CJTF in October, 2018 as part of commitments to end the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in the North-East.

    He said “Since September, 2017 when the CJTF signed an action plan committing to put measures in place to end and prevent recruitment and use of children, 1, 727 children and young people have so far been released.

    “Since then, there has not been recruitment of children by the CJTF.

    “Children in the North-East have borne the brunt of the conflict; they are used by armed groups in combatant and non-combatant roles and have witnessed death, killings and violence.

    “This participation in conflict has had serious implications for their physical and emotional wellbeing.

    “Any commitment for children that is matched with action is a step in the right direction for the protection of children’s rights; it must be recognized and encouraged”.

    Fall added that the newly-released children would benefit from reintegration programme, “to help them to return to normal civil life, attain self-development and contribute to the peace-building process in the society’’.

    READ ALSO: Kaduna: 6,000 babies at risk of HIV in 2019 – UNICEF

    The UNICEF’s official reiterated the commitment of the organization to collaborate government, humanitarian and development organizations to ensure the protection of children’s rights in the war-torn region.

    “We cannot give up the fight for the children as long as children are affected by the fight. We will continue until there is no child left in the ranks of all armed groups in Nigeria”.

    According to statistic by UNICEF, over 3, 500 children were killed, maimed, raped, abducted or recruited and used by non-state armed groups between 2013 and 2017 in the combat against insurgency.

    It revealed that 9, 800 persons associated with armed groups and vulnerable children in the region accessed reintegration services between 2017 and 2018.

    In his speech, Mr Abdullahi Izge, Deputy Solicitor-General, Ministry of Justice, Borno, said that CJTF adopted sound programmes to release children in its ranks and reintegrate them into the society in line with UN Resolution 1612.

    Izge explained that 400 of the 833 children earlier released were enrolled into formal schools while the remaining were trained on various trades under a special skill acquisition programme.

    He added that 894 children with links to armed groups were identified in Maiduguri and Jere while similar exercise was ongoing in 13 local government areas of the state.

    In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn El-Kanemi, commended UNICEF over the children reintegration and polio immunization programmes.

    El-Kanemi called on the children to use the opportunities given to them to learn trades, become self-reliant and contribute to the development of the society.

    The event was attended by Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Georg Steiner; representatives of US Embassy, heads of humanitarian organizations and representative of Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, among others.

    (NAN)

  • Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Borno community

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have successfully repelled Boko Haram insurgents’ attack at Jakana village in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.

    The insurgents coordinated the attack at Jakana barely 12 hours after the troops repelled them in Bama and Rann communities.

    Although there were no official comments either by the military and government agencies, reports said the gallant troops engaged the insurgents in gun duel to repel the attacks.

    A competent source at the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), disclosed that heavily armed insurgents attacked Jakana at about 8 pm on Friday.

    The source disclosed that the troops, with support of other security personnel and members of the vigilante, engaged the criminals in serious gun battle which lasted for over an hour.

    Read Also: Troops kill Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    It said that the troops routed the insurgents and many of them escaped with gun shot wounds.

    The vigilante fighter added that there were no casualties on the part of the troops and members of the public in the attack.

    It will be recalled that gallant troops had earlier repelled attacks by the insurgents at Bama and Rann in the early morning hours of Friday.

    The insurgents burnt houses and a Malnourishment Treatment Centre, operated by an NGO at Rann community.

    The military authorities are yet to comment on the incidents.

     

    NAN

  • Residents return home after insurgents’ attack

    Residents return home after insurgents’ attack

    Normalcy has been restored to the Moloi area of Maiduguri, after the Boko Haram insurgents attacked the area on Christmas day.

    Hundreds of villagers, who fled the area in the wake of the attack, had returned to their homes.

    Moloi is about five kilometres away from Maiduguri, located on Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu High way.

    The residents are mostly engaged in crop and livestock production.

    A group of insurgents, moving on gun trucks, attacked a military post there, resulting to serious gun battle on Monday evening.

    Hundreds of residents in the area and adjourning villagers scampered for safety and fled into Maiduguri metropolis.

    Read also: Residents decry foul language by herbalists

    Mrs. Yaana Idris, a mother of three, said she was terrified by the insurgents who detonated Improvised Explosive Device ( IED ) and shot sporadically in the area.

    Idris said she fled with her children into Maiduguri to protect them from the insurgents’ attack.

    “My children were playing outside when I heard the explosion, followed by serious gunshots and then people shouting Boko Haram, Boko Haram.

    “My home is few metres away from the main road. I hurriedly gathered my kids and moved towards the town.

    “There was chaos and people were running towards Maiduguri from all directions,” she said.

    Idris said she spent the night with her relatives in Maiduguri, adding that her husband asked her to return home as normalcy returned.

    Amin Modu, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF ), added that most of the people who fled the area had returned home.

    Modu said that people were terrified and fled the area for safety.

    He noted that the soldiers had fought gallantly to repel the attack and destroyed motorcycles used by the insurgents.

    “The insurgents escaped after their failed attempt to attack the military post; a truck and insurgents’ motorcycles were vandalised in the attack.

    “One person in the village was killed by stray bullet,” Modu alleged.

    However, the military command said that its troops repelled the attack.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said that no live was lost among the troops and normalcy had been restored.

    Nicholas disclosed that the troops, with air support, were pursuing the fleeing insurgents.

    NAN

  • Army repel insurgents’ attack in Magumeri, Borno

    Army repel insurgents’ attack in Magumeri, Borno

    Nigerian Army on Saturday repelled an attack by Boko Haram insurgents at Magumeri town, headquarters of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno.

    A competent security source told our correspondent that the insurgents attacked a military formation at Magumeri, about 32 km from Maiduguri the state capital.

    The source said that the insurgents attacked the area at about 6 p.m. and shot sporadically in an attempt to infiltrate the town.

    The source revealed that the troops and other security personnel engaged the insurgents and successfully repelled the attack.

    “The insurgents could not infiltrate the town and they were forced to flee after hours of gun battle.

    “No one can ascertain the level of casualties at this time,” he said.

    However, Kaka Audu, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF ) in the area, said that the insurgents attacked the town from the military check point and Bengel area of the town.

    Audu disclosed that some of the insurgents that attacked from the Bengel axis managed to enter the town and torched some buildings before they were finally pushed back.

    “We came back from a joint patrol with the military around 6 p.m. because intelligence report showed that the insurgents were gathering at the outskirt of the town.

    “Few minutes later, the insurgents attacked with full force from two directions. There was reinforcement from the military and the attack was repelled.”

    Audu noted that powerful echoes of gun shots and explosive devices prompted residents to flee to nearby forest.

    The local militia added that most of the residents, who had earlier run to the bush, returned to their homes later.

    The military authorities are yet to comment on the incident.

    Boko Haram insurgents had in July attacked an oil prospecting team on exploration exercise in the area.

    The insurgents killed several members of the team and abducted five staff of University of Maiduguri.

    NAN

  • Shettima pleads with Borno people over vehicular restriction

    Shettima pleads with Borno people over vehicular restriction

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Friday apologised to residents in the state for the vehicular restriction on Eid day in Maiduguri metropolis.

    Shettima gave the apology in Maiduguri through a statement issued by Malam Isa Gusau, his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy.

    The governor also called for renewed prayers to end insurgency, facilitate rebuilding and safe re-settlement of people displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

    “I understand and share the pains of the restriction of vehicular movement on Borno citizens, particularly the elderly, children and women who have to trek to the Eid grounds from their distant homes.

    “Vehicular restriction is imposed as part of security measures to prevent any breach that could cause harm on the citizenry.”

    He said that festivities were meant for celebrations and was painful when State Security Council imposed ban which subjected citizens to some forms of difficulties.

    “Vehicular restrictions are normally imposed as last option after members of the State Security Council exhausted consideration of all other alternatives available to them,” Shettima explained.

    The governor, currently in Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj, expressed deep concern over the troubles the elderly citizens, women and children encountered in trekking long distances to worship.

    Shettima said that he appreciated the efforts of the military, police, members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), vigilance groups and hunters to put an end insurgency in the state.

    He said that the security operatives under President Muhammadu Buhari  had remained gallant and dedicated in their determination to improve on the security situation in the state.

    The governor expressed optimism that subsequent festivities would not require measures that would subject citizens to difficulties.

    He also commended the residents for their tolerance, understanding, courage and support to government’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The governor called on the people to support government and security agencies in the counter-insurgency campaign to usher in a new era of enduring peace, social and economic prosperity.

    He urged the people to sustain their empathy and support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    He advised them to remain steadfast in prayers for the success of the ongoing rehabilitation of communities and restoration of means of livelihood to communities ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Shettima also called on displaced persons to support and be hospitable to humanitarian workers providing services at IDPs camps and liberated communities.

    “Humanitarian workers are in Borno to help those in need of food, medical attention, shelter and livelihoods in order to share the responsibilities of the Federal and state governments in Nigeria.

    “The activities of the humanitarian aid workers are funded by donors who parted with scarce resources after concerted advocacies by humanitarian stakeholders including the United Nations (UN), Nigerian Government, foreign donor countries and the state government.

    “While recognising and understanding the trauma faced by displaced persons and challenges of meeting their basic needs, the recent misbehaviour towards humanitarian workers in one of the IDP camps in the state was uncalled for’’.

    The governor warned that such unruly behaviour would not be allowed to repeat itself, noting that interventions of government and humanitarian agencies should be regarded as deserved privileges which should be reciprocated with cooperation and mutual respect by displaced persons.

    Shettima reiterated his administration commitments to the reconstruction and rehabilitation programme to fast track safe re-settlement of displaced persons and provide means of livelihood to enable them to engage in productive activities.