Insurgency: Borno clears 3 months allowances of hunters, vigilantes
As part of continued efforts to sustain and strengthen the fight against Boko Haram insurgents, Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has since cleared three months outstanding allowances of members and leaders of local hunters and vigilantes who have volunteered to support the military. The Governor also approved funds for fueling of operational vehicles used by the two groups.
A top official in the Borno Government House, Alhaji Bukar Maaji and leaders of the volunteers, Mai Gana Mai Durma, Alhaji Bukar Talala alongside side some officials, monitored payments of the outstanding allowances of operational logistics to the hunters and vigilantes. Secretary of the vigilante group who spoke for all volunteers, thanked Prof. Zulum for fulfillment of all his promises to them during meetings they held with him soon after he was sworn-in. They assured the Governor of their patriotism and combat readiness to support the fight against insurgency and the protection of the fellow residents of Borno. They also promised to abide by code of conducts laid down for them in line with the supervision by the military.
Before payment of outstanding allowances, Governor Zulum had in previous weeks, increased the monthly allowances government pays members of the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes. Borno state has a record of over 20,000 volunteers involved in community policing aimed towards boko haram’s infiltration. Given the number, each volunteer was receiving N10,000 as monthly allowance before the increase by 50%.
The Governor has directed that this increment be carried out with effect from June, 2019, while all payments should henceforth be made electronically to individual bank accounts, he said. Professor Babagana Umara Zulum had also distributed patrol vehicles to volunteer hunters and Civilian JTF members in some local government areas during a needs assessment tour of the 27 local government areas of the State, which he began two days after he was sworn-in as Governor on May 29, 2019. Prof Zulum has assured volunteers of his readiness to support them with all necessary logistics given the sacrifices they are making.