In a desperate bid to end the Boko Haram insurgency currently
ravaging the North eastern part of the country, the Adamawa State
Government has revealed plans to train over 10, 000 local hunters that
would combat the sect.
This was disclosed on Monday by the state Governor, Mr. Bala James
Ngillari, through his spokesman, Mr. P. P. Elisha, after an emergency
meeting with security chiefs in the state.
The governor further disclosed that the state would train and enlist the
services of 10,000 local hunters, vigilantes and Civilian JTF as part
of efforts to liberate the towns captured by the terrorist group.
gillari explained that the state government decided to train the
local hunters in order to change their perception as well as make them
carry out their duties in accordance to the rule of engagement.
He agreed that government has now accepted to employ the services of
the local hunters as part of the effort to secure the trouble areas in
the state.
“At least no fewer than 10,000 hunters would be enlisted in the
scheme as members of the local vigilante to fortify the towns and aid
the security forces in dislodging the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The
group would be called ‘Civilian JTF’ and saddled with the responsibility
of assisting the law enforcement agencies in their jobs of providing
security to the society,” Elisha said.
The governor’s spokesman, however, cleared the air that this does not
give them (civilian jtf) the licence to take laws into their hands by
harassing or arresting innocent members of the society, and stated that,
only the law enforcement agencies have the right to arrest or detain
suspected criminals or Boko Haram militants during the operations.
Elisha said the governor has debunked speculations making the rounds
that the local hunters and Civilian JTF that are now assisting Nigerian
troops had withdrawn from the ongoing battle in Adamawa.
“It was not so, the governor had just concluded a meeting with
the security chiefs, what really happened is that they were asked to
retreat instead of being on the frontlines, with a view of all air raid
by the air force. They have been helping the military tremendously, and
that prompted the government to see ways of cushioning their hardship,’’ Elisha said.
The governor’s spokesman also revealed that the state government and
the people commended the cooperative efforts of vigilance groups,
hunters and the military in fighting the Boko Haram menace.
Elisha urged residents to cooperate with the joint task forces to flush out members of the terrorist group in the region.
It would be recalled that on Monday November 17, 2014, the Nigerian security operatives arrested one Sarkin Baka Adamawa for leading citizens to fight against Boko Haram.
However, on November 16, 2014, the Nigerian military reportedly retake Chibok, a town in Borno State, where nearly 300 schoolgirls were abducted on April 14, by the Boko Haram sect after the town was reportedly taken under control of the terrorists.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has advised Nigerians to defend themselves against the Boko Haram sect onslaught while the Senate President David Mark, who condemned the recent killing of 47 students in Y0be, said the Boko Haram has declared war on Nigeria.
source:news agencies