The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was founded in

Maiduguri Maiduguri ( ) is the capital and the largest city of Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria, on the continent of Africa. The city sits along the seasonal Ngadda River which disappears into the ''Firki'' swamps in the areas around Lake Chad. Maid ...

Borno State Borno is a States of Nigeria, state in the North East (Nigeria), North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is bordered by Yobe State, Yobe to the west, Gombe State, Gombe to the southwest, and Adamawa State, Adamawa to the south while its ea ...

, Nigeria, in 2008. It was established in response to the

Boko Haram Boko Haram, officially known as Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da'wa wa al-Jihad (), is a self-proclaimed jihadist militant group based in northeastern Nigeria and also active in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali. In 2016, the group spli ...

insurgency, aimed at assisting the Nigerian military in combating the group. The CJTF's primary functions include providing intelligence, participating in search and rescue operations, and engaging in direct combat against insurgents. Volunteers from local communities are organized into units, often equipped with basic weapons and training provided by the military. Their work is crucial in supporting military efforts and enhancing security in affected areas. The vigilante group numbers over 26,000 in the northeastern Borno and

Yobe State Yobe is a States of Nigeria, state located in northeastern Nigeria. A mainly agricultural state, it was created on 27 August 1991. Yobe State was carved out of Borno State. The capital of Yobe State is Damaturu, and its largest city by populati ...

s, of which only 1,800 receive a

salary A salary is a form of periodic payment from an employer to an employee, which may be specified in an employment contract. It is contrasted with piece wages, where each job, hour or other unit is paid separately, rather than on a periodic basis. ...

( $50 per month). The CJTF has suffered about 600 casualties in the conflict, counting both lost and missing members. The CJTF has been accused of abuses, including slaughtering men beside a

mass grave A mass grave is a grave containing multiple human corpses, which may or may Unidentified decedent, not be identified prior to burial. The United Nations has defined a criminal mass grave as a burial site containing three or more victims of exec ...

, diverting food destined for starving families and beating men and subjecting women and girls to systematic sexual violence in camps.

Structure and Organization

The CJTF is composed mainly of local volunteers who are familiar with the terrain and the communities they protect. These volunteers work alongside the Nigerian military and other security forces. The organization is structured to include various units responsible for different operational tasks, such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, and community patrols. The task force is typically organized at the local level, with each unit reporting to a regional commander who coordinates with military officials.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Intelligence Gathering: CJTF members provide crucial intelligence on the movements and activities of insurgent groups. Their local knowledge enables them to gather information that might be inaccessible to external forces. 2. Community Protection: The task force conducts patrols and maintains a presence in vulnerable communities to deter insurgent attacks and provide security for local populations. 3. Support to Military Operations: CJTF members assist the Nigerian military in various operations, including raids and checkpoints. They provide logistical support and help in the identification of insurgent hideouts. 4. Humanitarian Assistance: The CJTF has also been involved in providing humanitarian aid to displaced persons and affected communities, including distributing food and medical supplies.

Challenges and Controversies

While the CJTF has been praised for its contributions to the fight against Boko Haram, it has faced several challenges and controversies. Issues include allegations of human rights abuses by some members, financial problems , logistical difficulties, and occasional conflicts with the military over coordination and operational control. Despite these challenges, the CJTF remains a crucial component of Nigeria's counter-insurgency strategy.

Impact

The CJTF has been instrumental in supporting military operations and providing security in areas affected by insurgency. Its local knowledge and commitment have helped in reducing the impact of Boko Haram's attacks and stabilizing affected communities. The task force's efforts have also contributed to the broader goal of restoring peace and security in northeastern Nigeria.

References

Boko Haram Borno State Counterterrorism in Nigeria Rebel groups in Nigeria Vigilantes Yobe State Irregular units and formations {{Nigeria-stub