The CJTF was founded on the principle of national unity and patriotism, adding that all Nigerians have a shared responsibility to protect the country and
By Moses Okorie
The national leadership of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has appointed retired Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Maikano as the organisation’s Acting Commander-General.
The appointment was announced on Saturday by the National Chairman of the CJTF, Prof. Kailani Muhammad, during the CJTF National Security Summit held in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Building a Resilient Nation: Strategic Partnerships for Peace, Stability and National Development,” brought together stakeholders to discuss the role of strategic collaboration in enhancing national security.
Announcing the appointment, Muhammad described Maikano as a seasoned military officer and sports administrator whose experience would help drive the formalisation of the CJTF through the development of a comprehensive operational blueprint.
Reflecting on the organisation’s journey over the past 15 years, Muhammad said the CJTF was established to complement the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies in promoting peace, unity and national stability.
He stressed that the organisation remains committed to supporting security institutions in tackling insecurity across the country, irrespective of ethnic or regional differences.
According to him, the CJTF was founded on the principle of national unity and patriotism, adding that all Nigerians have a shared responsibility to protect the country and support efforts aimed at restoring peace.
Muhammad noted that under the new leadership, the organisation would work towards securing formal recognition through appropriate legal processes while developing a strategic blueprint to strengthen its operations.
He also disclosed that the CJTF was expanding its partnerships beyond Nigeria, revealing that the organisation had established collaborations across West Africa and initiated engagements with representatives from more than 80 countries.
Speaking after his appointment, Maikano expressed gratitude to the CJTF leadership for the confidence reposed in him, describing his new role as both an honour and a responsibility.
He pledged to review the organisation’s achievements over the past 15 years and build on its successes by introducing measures that would further strengthen its operations nationwide.
The retired general reaffirmed that the CJTF would continue to serve as a complementary force to the military, police and other security agencies rather than replacing their constitutional responsibilities.
According to him, members of the CJTF possess valuable knowledge of local communities and terrain, which enables them to support security operations effectively in the fight against criminality and insurgency.
Maikano assured Nigerians of the organisation’s commitment to working closely with security agencies to promote peace, stability and national development, stressing that the CJTF remains dedicated to protecting lives and supporting efforts to secure the country.