At a point while reading the Borno 2012 budget speech before the State House of Assembly, in Maiduguri, Governor Kashim Shettima busted into tears to the awe of legislators and everyone present at the legislative chamber. There was dead silence. He gathered himself thereafter and completed his presentation. No one knew what provoked the stir until a year later when the governor presented the 2013 budget before the same Assembly. Hear Shettima’s story:
“Mr. Speaker, Honorable members, my visit to this hallowed chamber today is at variance with my visit at about this time, in 2012. When I was here in 2012, Mr. Speaker, I must confess, that I was a very distressed Governor who only held on to the stubborn strength of hope. Perhaps, that was the reason for my emotional disposition. I was full of aspirations and wishes, yet my spirit was very low. Though I persistently believed it was coming to pass, I wondered when Borno State would begin to witness real and sustained peace; I wondered how and when insurgents would move out of our communities and let us be; while I was here in 2012, I wondered when Maiduguri, the capital, the worst affected and the heart of our dear state, would overcome the security challenges that was very well within and around us; I was a critically traumatised governor when I came here in 2012. I was very unhappy even though, I was full of hope and anticipation for the future of Borno State.
Today in Borno, the CJTF has become not only a household word but a formidable force of reckon in the war against the insurgency. The outfit has become worthy and reliable partner of the military in the onslaught against terrorism
“Mr. Speaker, Honorable members, unlike 2012, when I solely relied on hope, today, I have inside me what is far beyond hope, I have a guarantee, a firm assurance created for all of us, by a brave, patriotic, confident, committed and tough youth population who have defied fears and threats and rose up in defence of our land. I am not yet a happy governor because of pockets of challenges we are still battling with, not unlike when I was here in 2012, when Borno’s future seemed more uncertain, today, we have collectively as a people, by one form of contribution or the other, reclaimed our land and we are on the very sure way of making the entire Borno, peaceful and great again”.
The youth formation started as a child of necessity or an inevitable reaction to an ugly action. It emerged first as volunteer Youth Group (vigilante group) and metamorphosed into Youth Vanguard and finally into Civilian Joint Task Force.
It all started in Hausari of Maiduguri where, with increased pressure from the security operatives and merciless attacks by Boko Haram, the youths and members of the families were mostly the unfortunate victims either through cross fire, outright arrest, detention and related bloody treatment for no cause of theirs. Unable to continue this scourge, the youths in Hausari ward mobilized themselves to henceforth apprehend any insurgent who crossed the area en route to Monday Market or Babban Layi for robberies or the usual bombing or shooting runs.
Baba Lawan Jafar, who later become the pioneer CJTF Chairman in Borno State, was the first youth who, in May, 2013 fearlessly chased a gunman with a stick successfully capturing him and handing him over to soldiers. Afterwards, Jafar’s friend, one Modu Milo, impressed by the heroic act of his friend, decided to join in the hunt. The new group was seen as heroes by some and pejoratively as “alarm blowers” by others, thus many distanced themselves to avoid the wrath of Boko Haram. But two weeks later, Jafar and Milo were still alive, hale and hearty. So, within a short time, dozens of youths joined them and the population continued to swell.
The youths further resolved to dare the lion in its den as the insurgency was taking so many toll on the social, economic and political life of the people and things were going haywire and unbearable.
“Everywhere you go, the Borno man or woman is being stigmatised”.
According to the Chairman of the Volunteer Youth Group, Abubakar Malum, despite apparent danger inherent in their action, there was no going back as the die is now cast for the reign of terror to go.
“We were moved to take the decision because the youths in Maiduguri are facing extinction. Parents, sisters and brothers have died either in the hands of the insurgents or angry soldiers – enough is enough. The issue of amnesty is out of question as it is now fight to finish and the offenders must be brought to book”.
The coming into the volatile scene by the CJTF was indeed a watershed. Its entry broke the myth that the Boko Haram insurgents are not assailable as the civilian youths demystified in militants and proved themselves capable of giving Boko Haram a good fight. It showed abundantly that when a man is driven to the wall, he will fight back with whatever he could lay his hands upon notwithstanding the strong fist of his adversary. It brought hope to the people that were already being dismayed or helpless at the perceived inability of the security agencies, especially the army, to give the insurgents a good fight.
Cashing in on the public acceptance of the CJTF and its impact in the fight against insurgency, the state government moved with the speed of a meteor to streamline the function of the body and giving incentives to its members. The government initiated through the military, some basic training for the boys, designating them as vigilante groups assisting the security agencies. While in training, members are each paid N10,000 after the training, they are given a monthly stipend of N20,000 cash. The state government planned to train under is first phase scheme, 20, 000 members. The trained members of the CJTF are expected to be the first port of call for the state quota with regards future recruitment in the security agencies especially army. And this proved to be so later as the Senate directed the Federal Government to recruit more soldiers as a result of the insurgency. The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly specifically directed that in the exercise as it affected the North-east, premium or consideration should be given to members of the CJTF.
Besides, Governor Kashim pledged as time went by that some members of the security outfit would be given entrepreneurship training with capital to take off while those who wishes to continue with their education would be encouraged to do so.
And penultimate week Governor Shettima directed the state Commissioner for land and survey to allocate piece of land to each CJTF members who were enlisted into the Nigerian Army. He gave the directive at the Government House, Maiduguri when he received the newly passed out 103 members of the CJTF who were earlier recruited into the Nigerian Army. In addition, Kashim ordered that each of them be given the sum of fifty thousand naira with two bags of rice among others.
Governor Shettima, while appreciating their sacrifices for the restoration peace in the state, equally commended Nigeria Army and other security agencies for the untiring effort in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists across the state and the North east region.
Speaking earlier, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barister Kaka Shehu Lawan, said the 103 CJTF enlisted into the Nigeria Army have completed their training and have come to thank Governor Shettima for the support they have enjoyed from him during the training at the Nigeria Army Depot, Zaira, Kaduna State.
The Commissioner further explained that this is the third set of CJTF who were enlisted into the Nigerian Army and para military that have successfully completed their training and thanked the governor for facilitating their recruitment process.
He said the Federal Road Safety Commission and other para military agencies have been contacted for enlistment of more members.
In a related development governor Kashim has commended members of the CJTF in Gubio Local Government for the gallant effort they exhibited recently during an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists who attacked some villages in the area. Kashim directed that each of the ten CJTF who repelled the Boko Haram attack be given N10,000, two hundred and fifty bags of five kg rice, and operational vehicle to the team. He equally directed the Caretaker Committee chairman to give the members some of the houses constructed by government in the area to boost their morale.
Today in Borno, the CJTF has become not only a household word but a formidable force of reckon in the war against the insurgency. The outfit has become worthy and reliable partner of the military in the onslaught against terrorism. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, spoke of the usefulness of the CJTF to the military. According to him they are the locals who understand the terrain, act as scouts and in some instances lead the way. Besides they are involved in mounting security checkpoints especially in the state capital though under the close watch of the military. The group also helps in traffic control.
The CJTF has come to stay as one of the effective measures to check crimes or rebellion and may remain as one of the enduring legacies of Kashim Shettima’s administration.
Victor Izekor is a journalist and public affairs analyst and writes at victorizekor@gmail.com
