Borno cautions `civilian JTF’ against abuse of power

Borno cautions `civilian JTF’ against
abuse of power
on october 28, 2013 at 10:38 am in news
Maiduguri – The Deputy Governor of Borno, Alhaji
Zannah Mustapha, on Monday cautioned members
of the local vigilante group popularly called “Civilian
JTF’’ against taking laws into their hands.
Mustapha made this known when he addressed
newsmen in Maiduguri on reports of alleged actions
of some members of the group.
“The main duty of the 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.
“This does not give them a licence to take laws into
their hands by harassing or arresting innocent
members of the society,’’ he said.
Mustapha said that it was only law enforcement
agencies that had the power to arrest or detain
suspected criminals or Boko Haram militants.
“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.
“The idea of the civilian JTF trying to take laws into
their hands by acting alone is wrong. This must stop
now,’’ he said.
The deputy governor said that the state government
was concerned about the modus operandi of some
members of the vigilante group.
“Government decided to introduce a reorientation
course for members of the group to change their
perception and instill discipline in them.
“The first batch of trainees comprising 700 civilian
JTF had just concluded their course and hopefully
by next month another group of 1,000 will begin
training,’’ he said.
Mustapha said that the object was to sanitise the
operation of the civilian JTF as well as instill
patriotism in them.
“We are hoping to train 5,000 members of the group
before the end of 2015.’’ (NAN)