The Zamfara State Executive Council has given its approval for the recruitment of 4,200 members into the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in a bid to bolster the state’s security efforts and combat the ongoing insecurity issues. This decision was reached during a State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Dauda Lawal.
According to a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the recruitment of the civilian JTF was among the key topics discussed during the meeting. The move is seen as a complementary effort to support existing security agencies in the state’s fight against insecurity.
In addition to the recruitment of the civilian JTF, the council also approved various initiatives aimed at improving educational opportunities within the state. This includes the construction of new classrooms, the renovation of existing ones, and providing necessary furnishings to schools across the state.
Governor Lawal, as previously reported, has emphasized his commitment to not negotiating with bandits but rather supporting security agencies to root out banditry and other forms of criminal activities in Zamfara State. The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mannir Mu’azu Haidara, highlighted the governor’s roadmap to address years of insecurity and the priority placed on rebuilding communities affected by these challenges. Additionally, the governor intends to focus on urban and rural development projects to expedite recovery.
Regarding the recruitment of the civilian JTF, the governor’s spokesperson stated, “In his commitment to curb the lingering insecurity, Governor Dauda Lawal approved the recruitment of civilian JTF in all the Local Government Areas of the state. Three hundred civilian JTF will be recruited in each local government area of the State. The recruits will undergo rigorous physical training that will prepare them to assist the security agencies with actionable intelligence to combat insecurity.”
Furthermore, the statement outlined the government’s commitment to education, stating that every Zamfara child has the right to quality education. As part of this commitment, the government plans to construct, renovate, and furnish classrooms across different local government areas within the state to provide better educational facilities for the students.
The civilian JTF initiative has been employed in conflict-ridden states in the North-East and North-West of Nigeria to combat the activities of groups such as Boko Haram terrorists and bandits. It involves the engagement of civilian volunteers who work alongside regular armed forces to enhance security efforts in these regions.