Members
of the Vigilance Group, popularly known as “Civilian JTF’’, on Thursday
appealed to the Borno State Government to facilitate the payment of
monthly allowances to them, to encourage their activities.
Some of the members told the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri that the gesture would boost their morale in ensure security in the state.
Mallam Adam Shitu, a member of the group
in Gidan-Dambe, said he had to combine his vulcanising job with that of
the vigilance service.
“Most often, I have to abandon my job to
help in checking the activities of members of Boko Haram. But I must
provide food to my family. Sometimes I have to beg friends or relatives
to feed the family,’’ Shitu said, adding, “I think it is time for the
state government to consider providing us with stipends to keep vigil on
the road.
“Being a member of the group requires a
lot of dedication, which means an individual must always be available to
take care of emergencies. This is difficult when you still have to look
for food. ‘’
Mallam Usaini Uba, another member of the group in Ruwan Zafi, lamented that hunger had chased many members away.
“At the beginning, we had large group of
youths, who were willing to work day and night, but as time went by,
they realised that they had to look for food. Most of them cannot afford
to remain on the roads because they have families and other dependants
to look after,’’ Uba said.
Mr. Simon Peter, a member of the group in Jiddari Polo, commended the state government for assisting the them with logistics.
He said, “The state government has been
very supportive to us, government had, on many occasions, assisted us by
hiring vehicles to convey our members on special assignment. But we
believe government can do more by introducing monthly allowances to our
members to enable us survive.’’
Reacting to the issue, the state Governor, Kashim Shettima, said the government was planning to engage members of the group.
“The youth are doing a good job but we
need to make a proper arrangement to engage them, especially after the
conflict. What they are doing is commendable and exemplary. We are happy
that they are chasing away the terrorists.
Am calling on both the FG and state to Show this good Nigerians some accolade by paying them pls,, this love should be shown to law abiding citizen not Militants.
ReplyDeleteplease government pay them.
ReplyDeleteThese young people should not need to ask for monthly allowances to the members to enable them to provide for themselves and close relatives. These boys are sacrificing their lives to protect their community yet the power that be fail to recognise the need to give them automatic allowances which will be pittance when you consider the amount of money Patience Jonathan and the Senator and Governors are costing the nation.
ReplyDeletePlease, Please Please do the right thing and recogise these courageous youths. They are more important for keeping Boko Haram out of their communities than the Army or the Police. Recognising their contributions with some regular allowance will encourage other youths throughout Nigeria that Patriotism Pays.
They should be compensated otherwise Boko Haram will device a means to buy them over .
ReplyDeletePLEASE, THEY SHOULD BE APPRECIATED WITH MONETARY ALLOWANCES. THIS WILL SPUR THEM TO GREATER RESULTS.
ReplyDelete