The Zamfara State Executive Council has given approval for the recruitment of 4,200 members into the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) to assist security agencies in addressing the ongoing insecurity in the state. This decision was made during a State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Dauda Lawal.
In addition to the recruitment of the civilian JTF, the council also approved the construction of new classrooms and the renovation and furnishing of schools in the state as part of efforts to improve educational opportunities.
The recruitment of the civilian JTF is aimed at complementing the efforts of the military and the police in combating insecurity in Zamfara State. Each of the state’s 14 local government areas will have 300 civilian JTF members, and they will undergo rigorous physical training to enhance their ability to provide actionable intelligence to security agencies.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, noted that Governor Dauda Lawal is committed to addressing the lingering insecurity in the state and prioritizing the recovery and rebuilding of communities affected by years of insecurity. This includes projects for urban and rural development aimed at fast-tracking recovery efforts.
Furthermore, the State Executive Council also approved the construction of additional classrooms in each local government area to increase educational opportunities for students across the state. Governor Lawal believes that education is a fundamental right for all citizens and is dedicated to ensuring that every child in Zamfara has access to quality education.
The civilian JTF is a community-based security initiative that has been adopted in conflict-ridden states in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions, to work alongside the regular armed forces in the fight against insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and bandits. These civilian volunteers play a crucial role in enhancing security efforts in their respective regions.