Borno state  ‘Civilian JTF’ currently working with the military and other security agencies on counter insurgency activities in Borno State has appealed for firearms in order to boost the ongoing operation against Boko Haram militants.

The Civilian JTF comprises several youth groups and operate officially as  Vigilante Youth Vanguard .

Borno Civilian JTF

According to a report by Daily Trust, the group made the plea during the launch of ‘the Police-Vigilante Youth Groups and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Monthly Meeting’ initiated by the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Mr. Aderemi John Opadokun.

Opadokun however said he could not provide the weapons they needed.

The Commissioner of Police said the provision of guns to the vigilante youth groups was a constitutional matter which required the enactment of laws before it could be granted.

“The provision of guns to the leadership of the Civilian JTF, of course, is beyond our capacity here in this Command, because it is a constitutional matter. But we expect the youth to be forwarding request for armed Policemen to give them cover before they go for any operation,” Opadokun said.

He also advised the vigilante youths not to go on any dangerous place without cover from members of the military or the Nigeria Police.

It has long been recommended that Nigeria should integrate the Civilian   JTF into the military, by training its members and also giving them weapons to fight the Boko Haram.