Boko Haram: Adamawa Govt to Engage Hunters, Vigilantes, But with Limited Roles

Adamawa state government is fine tuning ways on how to engage the services of local hunters, civilian JTF and vigilantes in an effort to halt the operation of the Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

The northern towns of Adamawa state are mostly affected with three LGAs in the central senatorial district. It is set to train the local vigilante to change their perception, and guard against abuses.

The state governor Barr Bala James Ngillari made this known after having an emergency meeting with security chiefs in the state.

He declared that no fewer than 10,000 persons will be enlisted in the scheme as members of the local vigilante, known as Civilian JTF, to fortify the towns and aid the security forces in dislodging the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

Bala disclosed this through his Director of Press and Public Affairs , Mr Phineas P Elisha ,saying that the group that would be  christened as ‘civilian JTF’ is to assist law enforcement agencies in their job of providing security to the society,  “that is why they sometimes join the military at the check points,” he said.

“This does not give them a license to take laws into their hands by harassing or arresting innocent members of the society,” he said.

He, however, declared that it was only law enforcement agencies that would have the mandate to arrest or detain suspected criminals or Boko Haram militants during the operations.

“People should note that it is only law enforcement agencies like soldiers or policemen who have the power to arrest or detain suspected criminals like Boko Haram sect members or robbers,” he had said.

The Governor refuted the rumor peddling around that the local hunters and civilian JTF that are now assisting Nigerian troops had retreated in the ongoing operations in Adamawa State.

“It was not so, the governor had just concluded meeting with the security chiefs. What really happened is that they were asked to retreat back instead of being at the front lines, with a view of all air raid by air force.

“They have been helping the military tremendously, and that prompted the government to see ways of reducing their hardships,” he said.

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