The Nigerian military has moved a step further in the counter terrorism campaign ongoing in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria by converting the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and other vigilante groups in that region into a more professional fighting force.
The military has received the backing of the federal government to streamline the activities of these groups, who have been very useful in the counter-terrorism campaign, to boost the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.
Following this development, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has set up a high powered committee to work out modalities for regulating the activities of the vigilante groups.
The committee is headed by a two-star Army General with other equivalents from the Navy and Air Force and three nominees each from the three services.
They aim of the committee is to work out clear cut modalities for regulating the activities of the vigilantes and civilian volunteers otherwise known as the Civilian JTF in the states most terrorised by the insurgents – Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
The committee will also be expected to identify the various types of vigilante and civilian volunteers operating in the North East, examine their mode of operations and suggest the appropriate agency, other than the military, under whose control and authority they can be placed.
