Borno CJTF suspends president for ‘diverting vehicles’ donated for operations

The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a security group formed in Borno to fight Boko Haram insurgents, has suspended Lawan Ja’afar, its president, over the alleged diversion of vehicles donated to the organisation.

NAN reports that Bashir Abbas, auditor general of the group, said Ja’afar was suspended after a series of meetings and deliberations by the leadership of the CJTF.

Abbas said the president’s suspension was unanimous and in line with article 6 rule 2 (vi) of the CJTF constitution.

He alleged that Ja’afar misappropriated some vehicles donated to the group by the government for operational purposes.

“He also diverted two other Hilux vehicles given to the organisation by NNPCL for operational purposes too,” he said.

“The leadership is also announcing to the general public its decision pursuant to Article 6, Rule 1 of the CJTF constitution, to appoint Baba Shehu Abdulganiyu as the acting president of the organisation, who doubles as the commander sector 4 CJTF.

“Baba Shehu will be the leader of the organisation till a substantive leader is appointed.

“The leadership has also decided to reinstate Babakura Mustapha, Mr Abba Aji Kalli, Abba Tijjani Sadiq and  Barr. Jibrin Tela Gunda who were suspended from 2022.”

Reacting to the suspension, Ja’afar said only five out of 27 members of the group can not suspend him.

He said the allegation that he diverted 13 Toyota Hilux vehicles donated by the government was not true.

He added that the vehicles were sold to all members as scrap, adding that he also bought some of the shredded cars like others.