BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 27, (THEWILL) – Members of the Borno youth vigilante group, popularly called Civilian JTF, currently undergoing character re-orientation training, have been warned not to run illegal detention cells.
Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, handed down the warning to the youths on Wednesday at the passing out of the second batch of 1,000 youths under the Borno Youth Empowerment Scheme (BOYES) programme in Maiduguri .
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, who doubles as the Vice chairman of BOYES, had earlier said the state has a target of training between 20,000 to 25,000 youths.
But Shettima said the youths have no power to arrest or detain people as he advised them to work with security agencies in the search for members of Boko Haram .
‘’ It is important to note that you have no power to arrest or detain anybody but should always liaise with the security agencies with whom you are working. This is necessary so as not to create conflict between you and the security operatives in the course of discharging your duties,’’ Shettima, who was represented by his deputy who is also the chairman of BOYES, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, said.
He said any member of the BOYES found wanting in the discharge of their duties will be arrested and made to face the law.
The governor restated the state government commitment to reduce youth restiveness and reduce unemployment through the programme.
He also appealed to the youths to be diligent in their duties in accordance with the law as he assured them that they will be considered for recruitment into security agencies when the need arises.
