Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno on Wednesday approved a N20 million bonus for members of the vigilance group working with the military in the anti-insurgency operations in the North East.
Shettima announced the donation to the volunteers, popularly known as ‘the Civilian JTF’, at a meeting with members of the group in Government House in Maiduguri.
The governor described his gesture as an appreciation for their efforts in the war against Boko Haram.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, gave the details of the gesture in a statement in Maiduguri.
“Shettima held closed door discussions with leaders of the vigilantes with focus on enhancing community policing during which he appreciated their gallant efforts and unveiled welfare packages for them.
“He said no amount of welfare package can equal the sacrifices being made by the volunteers especially given the fact that some of them had laid their lives for state.
“Shettima announced a bonus of N20 million to the volunteers while directing that any backlog of their monthly allowances be paid immediately,” Gusau said in the statement.
He said the governor had directed the Ministry of Health to put a system in place that would guarantee free medical treatment to all youth volunteers in all public hospitals in the state.
Gusau stated that the governor also ordered the supply of more patrol vehicles to the volunteers.
“We are all eternally indebted to you and we thank you most sincerely for the sacrifices you have made for us to have peace in this part of the world.
“I want to assure you that once the dust settles down, once this madness is over, we have the herculean task of creating jobs, of engaging the multitude of youths who stood firm and ensure that we have peace in this part of the world,” Shettima said.
The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against Boko Haram and for his role towards restructuring the military.
“I have to pay a special tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari; he has shown the zeal, the courage, the passion and the commitment to bring about peace in this part of the world.
“Our military men and women are now adequately armed and supported so that they carry out their task, they have so far recorded great successes not withstanding some attacks being carried out by insurgents on soft targets,” he said.
The Leader of the volunteers, Malam Lawan Ja’afar, pledged the continued commitment of his members to supporting the military in the fight against insurgency in Borno.
He said they were motivated by Shettima’s support for them over the years.
Ja’afar condoled with the governor over last Sunday’s attack on Ali Dawari town located on the outskirt of Maiduguri where many lives were lost.
“We have also changed our tactics and strategies. By the grace of God, we are going to resist their new tactics of inflicting havoc,” Ja’afar said.
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