The Borno State government has begun the mobilisation of hunters to join forces with the military and the Civilian Joint Taskforce (CJTF) to check the growing menace of Boko Haram terrorists.
Governor Kashim Shettima told the new Theatre Commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole”, Major General Benson Akinroluyo, yesterday at the Government House Maiduguri, that his administration had embarked on the mobilsation of hundreds of local hunters for the ongoing counter-insurgency operation.
Shettima said that the hunters would be trained by the military before their deployment to guard the fringes of the hinterlands that the terrorists are still hibernating.
He said: “The local hunters have been mobilised at a secret location, while the government is working round the clock to provide all the logistical needs. In the next couple of days, we will launch our component of the counter-insurgency force made up of hunters and vigilante operatives.
“We have volunteered about 30 vehicles to support their operation. And we will hand them over to the military command to help reinforce security and stabilise the situation in the state.
“They are to specifically enhance the security of Maiduguri and its environs and most especially the outlined parts of the metropolis.
“Now that the election is at the corner, there will be a lot of mischief by the anti-democratic elements to disrupt the electoral process, and it is the duty of government to provide security to the citizens,” Shettima said.
Earlier, General Akinroluyo said that he was at the governor’s office to officially, announce his assumption of duty having served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Jos from where he was deployed.
