Volunteer Security Outfit and the Fight against Terrorism in Nigeria: A Study of Civilian Joint Task Force in Borno State

The war waged by the Nigerian military against Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State and the North-East at large had suffered setbacks as the complexity of the contemporary security challenges overwhelms the public security sector and therefore government has subscribed to the need to extend the security sector to include ‘private security providers’ and the citizens as stakeholders. This study assessed volunteer security outfit and the fight against terrorism in Nigeria with focus on Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Borno State. The study employed a qualitative method and the Partnership Theory of Crime Prevention and Resistance Theory was adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. KIIs were conducted with ten (10) stakeholders from different professions. Data elicited through KII was analyzed thematically. The study findings revealed that volunteer security outfit is an approach in combating terrorism in Nigeria. The findings further revealed that Civilian JTF activities have helped other government security agencies in coordinating and arresting key Boko Haram members in Borno State thereby becoming a fundamental component to assisting and winning the war against Boko Haram insurgency. The study therefore recommends that educating and sensitizing members of the community and CJTF to be alert to their patriotic duty of reporting crime and illegal entry of other nationals should be advocated and intensified by the Borno State government. The study further recommends that with the current insecurity confronting Nigeria, establishment of local vigilante group of youth in communities across Nigeria should be encouraged to assist and support the security agencies. Since terrorism is a global problem, countries should adopt volunteer security outfit model to end organised crime and terrorism. This should be executed with the highest sense of local ownership and in collaboration with key stakeholders in their domain. Above all, for lasting peace, security and stability to prevail in Borno State, committed and sincere leadership should be demonstrated at all levels of governance in the State.