By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
For allegedly diverting 13 patrol vehicles to personal use, the Borno State chapter of Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, has suspended its president Mallam Lawan Ja’afar, and four other members.
The CJTF has been assisting the military and other security agencies in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the state.
Announcing the suspensions on Sunday, at a news conference in Maiduguri, the former Sector 2 Commander of CJTF, Bashir Abbas, disclosed, “The suspended members of CJTF comprise Lawan Ja’afar, the president, Babakura Mustapha, Abba Ali Kalti, Abba Tijjani Sadiq and Jibrin Tela Gunda, the legal adviser to the task force.”
He said that the leadership of CJTF, has suspended the president and four other members for misappropriating 13 vehicles, donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, and the Borno State government.
He averred that the alleged diversion of vehicles is against Article 6 Rule 2(vi) of the CJTF constitution.
Besides, he added, “With the suspension of the president and four others, Baba Shehu Abdulganiyu, has been appointed as the acting President of the organisation.
“Henceforth, Abdulganiyu, who doubles as the Commander Sector 4 will be the leader of CJTF, until a substantive president is appointed by us.”
Responding to his suspension, Ja’afar, however denied the allegations of misappropriation and abuse of the donated patrol vehicles to the task force.
Meanwhile, the copy of the suspension letter, was also sent to the state government, Police, Department of State Services, DSS, NSCDC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Borno Emirate Council and the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK.
