The National Chairman of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Prof. Kailani Muhammad, has stated that with the support of the Federal Government, his organization can eliminate banditry in Nigeria within a year. He made this statement during a ceremony where he was presented with a Certificate of Partnership as Chairman of the West African JTF by Charles Omini, Special Envoy/Ambassador to West Africa for International Human Rights Protection Service/Forum.

Muhammad emphasized the need for the government to provide the Civilian JTF with necessary equipment and advanced technology to combat security challenges. He noted that the group has identified the locations of bandits and knows their routes, but lacks the resources to effectively tackle them. The CJTF chairman urged President Bola Tinubu to set a one-year timeline for the security chiefs to wipe out insecurity in collaboration with the CJTF, threatening that if they fail, they should resign.

Omini, who presented the certificate, called for a systematic approach and strategic collaboration among security agencies to combat insecurity. He emphasized that security is everyone’s business and requires a peaceful and safe environment. Omini stressed the need for security agencies to engage advanced technology and adopt a strategic and systemic approach to tackle security challenges.

The CJTF chairman highlighted the porosity of Nigeria’s borders, with over 2,000 inlets and exits, and suggested the installation of CCTV cameras, as seen in countries like Mexico and the United States, to monitor and track bandits. He also emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence in combating insecurity.

The call for collaboration and technology-driven approach comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. The government has been urged to take a more proactive and strategic approach to addressing these challenges, with the involvement of all stakeholders, including security agencies, community leaders, and international partners. With the right support and resources, the Civilian JTF believes it can play a significant role in restoring peace and security to Nigeria.