The Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Lagos, Mr. Kumar Sanda, has revealed that his team has apprehended hundreds of Boko Haram suspects in the state.
He made this disclosure during an award ceremony at the Airport Hotel in Lagos, where the CJTF was honoured as the “Best Security Group in Lagos” by the Nigerian Human Rights Community.
Sanda explained that the task force has been actively intercepting insurgents and armed bandits attempting to relocate from conflict zones in the North to Lagos, focusing their surveillance on trailer parks, quarries, markets, and other entry points commonly used by northern migrants.
“If I should mention the number of Boko Haram members we have arrested in Lagos State, people will not believe it. But we have arrested thousands,” Sanda said.
“The CJTF monitors trailer parks, quarries, and truck pushers because we understand the channels through which they enter Lagos. Our people must remain vigilant. Not all Abokis are bad, but not all are good either. We are committed to keeping Lagos free from Boko Haram and banditry.”
“Boko Haram has no domain in Lagos State. The Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor is constantly in touch with us to ensure the people sleep with their eyes closed.”
Sanda also cautioned against assuming all terrorists are Nigerians. While acknowledging that some Nigerians are involved, he claimed many insurgents and bandits are non-Nigerians who infiltrate the country’s borders and disguise themselves as citizens.
“Whenever you see a man from Borno State, you might feel scared because of Boko Haram,” he said. “But many of those you see are not truly Nigerians. That’s not to say there are no Nigerians among them.
“It’s a fact that Boko Haram originated in Borno State, and we monitor individuals from Borno across Lagos. We know when new arrivals come in because we track the truck routes. A person from Borno can identify others from his state; the same goes for indigenes of Kano and other states.”
