The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) says it can eliminate banditry across Nigeria within one year if the federal government provides advanced technology and operational support.
Kailani Muhammad, national chairman of the CJTF, made the statement during the weekend in Abuja after receiving a certificate of partnership as chairman of the West African JTF from Charles Omini, a special envoy and ambassador to West Africa for the International Human Rights Protection Service/Forum.
Muhammad said CJTF operatives already have intelligence on the hideouts of criminal groups but lack the equipment needed to act effectively.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to give all service chiefs a year deadline to work with the CJTF to end insecurity nationwide.
“If actually we mean business, we know, even in the states where all these things are happening, we know their locations, we know where they are,” he said.
“We are calling on Mr President to give all the security chiefs a timeline of one year. They should sign an undertaking, and in the next one year, in collaboration, they will work with us to make sure that we wipe out insecurity in Nigeria. If they don’t do it, they should resign.”
He also asked the federal government to equip the CJTF with advanced surveillance systems, CCTV coverage and artificial intelligence tools.
According to him, Nigeria’s borders remain poorly secured, with about 2,000 inlets and exit routes used by armed groups.
“If the government can help us, we need to put CCTV as it’s obtained in Mexico now and America,” he said.
“So, these should be positioned 100 kilometres where you see the influx of these hoodlums. We have AI now.”
Speaking at the event, Omini called for stronger collaboration among security agencies and greater reliance on technology to tackle Nigeria’s complex security problems. He said no single agency can solve the challenges alone.
“I call on the security heads at all levels to come up with very strong strategic collaborations and partnerships with the relevant agencies and organisations,” he said.
“We’re in a global and digital world. I appeal to security agencies to engage more of advanced technology to combat these challenges.”
Omini also emphasised the need for dialogue and urged armed groups to end violence.
“Those who are carrying arms, who are kidnapping, for how long are they going to do this?” he asked.
“We are appealing to them, these killings and kidnapping must stop. Enough is enough.”
