{{Short description|Nigerian militants that oppose Boko Haram}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=January 2025}} {{AI-generated|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Civilian Joint Task Force | image = | image_size = 180px | caption = Logo of the CJTF | start_date = {{start date and age|df=yes|2013}} | country = {{flag|Nigeria}} | allegiance = Government of Nigeria | branch = Ground militia | type = Militia<br />Military reserve force | role = {{blist|Preparations against war|Defense operations|Assistance in maintaining public order}} | size = | command_structure = {{army|Nigeria}} | garrison = | garrison_label = | nickname = Yan Gora | motto = | colors = | colors_label = | march = | anniversaries = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = Boko Haram insurgency<br />Nigerian bandit conflict | battle_honours = <!-- Insignia --> | commander1 = Kailani Muhammad | commander1_label = National Chairman | commander2 = | commander2_label = | commander3 = | commander3_label = | commander4 = | commander4_label = | notable_commanders = <!-- Aircraft --> | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_3 = | identification_symbol_2_label = | identification_symbol_3_label = | aircraft_attack = | aircraft_bomber = | aircraft_electronic = | aircraft_fighter = | aircraft_helicopter = | aircraft_helicopter_attack = | aircraft_helicopter_cargo = | aircraft_helicopter_multirole = | aircraft_helicopter_observation = | aircraft_helicopter_trainer = | aircraft_helicopter_utility = | aircraft_interceptor = | aircraft_patrol = | aircraft_recon = | aircraft_trainer = | aircraft_transport = | aircraft_helicopter_transport = }}

The '''Civilian Joint Task Force''' (CJTF), also known interchangeably by the Hausa language term '''Yan Gora''' (“people with sticks”)<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gulyás |first=Attila |date=2021 |title=The Role of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the Improvement of Security in Borno State, Nigeria |url=https://jceeas.bdi.uni-obuda.hu/index.php/jceeas/article/view/28 |journal=Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies |language=en |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=32–48 |doi=10.59569/jceeas.2021.1.4.28 |issn=2786-1902|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://shs.hal.science/halshs-03095874v1/file/SOURCES_02_06_I_DELE_ADEDEJI_Scarcity_in_the_Study_of_Boko_Haram_in_Nigeria.pdf}}</ref> is a paramilitary organization organized by the Government of Nigeria, whose primary functions include providing intelligence, participating in search and rescue operations, and engaging in direct combat against insurgents. Volunteers from local communities are organized into units, often equipped with basic weapons and training provided by the military. The vigilante group numbers over 26,000 in the northeastern Borno and Yobe States, of which only 1,800 receive a salary ($50 per month).<ref name="econo">{{cite news |date=1 October 2016 |title=The volunteers who helped beat back Boko Haram are becoming a problem |url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21707958-volunteers-who-helped-beat-back-boko-haram-are-becoming-problem-home |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230901151743/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2016/09/29/the-home-guard |archive-date=1 September 2023 |accessdate=1 October 2016 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> The CJTF has suffered about 1,773 casualties in the conflict, counting both lost and missing members.<ref name="econo" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=How dozens of civilian JTF died defending communities in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa |url=https://dailytrust.com/how-dozens-of-civilian-jtf-died-defending-communities-in-borno-yobe-adamawa |accessdate=2025-09-07 |newspaper=Daily Trust}}</ref>

The CJTF has been accused of abuses, including slaughtering men beside a mass grave, diverting food destined for starving families and beating men and subjecting women and girls to systematic sexual violence in camps.<ref name="econo" />

== History == It was founded in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, in 2008. It was established in response to the Boko Haram insurgency, aimed at assisting the Nigerian military in combating the group. Their work is crucial in supporting military efforts and enhancing security in affected areas.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Civilian JTF women emerge in Borno - Search for female insurgents|url=http://leadership.ng/news/240813/civilian-jtf-women-emerge-borno-search-female-insurgents|accessdate=9 December 2013|archive-date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211163242/http://leadership.ng/news/240813/civilian-jtf-women-emerge-borno-search-female-insurgents|url-status=dead|newspaper=Leadership}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Women join civilian JTF in hunt for Boko Haram|work=NEWS.NAIJ.COM - Nigerian & worldwide news. |date=8 July 2013 |url=http://news.naij.com/39428.html|accessdate=9 December 2013|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131209044648/http://news.naij.com/39428.html|archive-date=9 December 2013}}</ref>

== Structure and Organization == The CJTF is composed mainly of local volunteers who are familiar with the terrain and the communities they protect.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kyle |first1=Jordan |last2=Gottlieb |first2=Jessica |last3=Bleck |first3=Jaimie |last4=Kosec |first4=Katrina |date=2024-04-26 |title=Local Governance and Crisis Response in Mali |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1257/rct.13515-1.0 |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=AEA Randomized Controlled Trials|doi=10.1257/rct.13515-1.0 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> These volunteers work alongside the Nigerian military and other security forces. The organization is structured to include various units responsible for different operational tasks, such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, and community patrols. The task force is typically organized at the local level, with each unit reporting to a regional commander who coordinates with military officials. thumb|CJTF members in Maiduguri

== Roles and Responsibilities == The CJTF has the following mandates:<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gulyás |first=Attila |date=2021 |title=The Role of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the Improvement of Security in Borno State, Nigeria |url=https://jceeas.bdi.uni-obuda.hu/index.php/jceeas/article/view/28 |journal=Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies |language=en |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=32–48 |doi=10.59569/jceeas.2021.1.4.28 |issn=2786-1902|url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }}</ref>

* Intelligence Gathering: CJTF members provide crucial intelligence on the movements and activities of insurgent groups. Their local knowledge enables them to gather information that might be inaccessible to external forces. * Community Protection: The task force conducts patrols and maintains a presence in vulnerable communities to deter insurgent attacks and provide security for local populations. * Support to Military Operations: CJTF members assist the Nigerian military in various operations, including raids and checkpoints. They provide logistical support and help in the identification of insurgent hideouts. * Humanitarian Assistance: The CJTF has also been involved in providing humanitarian aid to displaced persons and affected communities, including distributing food and medical supplies.

== Controversies == The CJTF is commonly pointed out for committing human rights abuses like murder, extrajudicial killings, extortion, looting, rape, and the use of child soldiers<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/where-we-work/nigeria|title=Nigeria|work=Children and Armed conflicts|accessdate=2025-08-30}}</ref> during its operations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/civilian-joint-task-force-northeast-nigeria-signs-action-plan-end-recruitment|title=Civilian joint task force in northeast Nigeria signs action plan to end recruitment of children|work=UNICEF|accessdate=2025-08-30}}</ref><ref name="Sweat">{{Cite journal|last1=Bamidele |first1=Seun |url=https://securityanddefence.pl/-Sweat-is-invisible-in-the-rain-Civilian-Joint-Task-Force-and-counter-insurgency,130867,0,2.html|title="Sweat is invisible in the rain": Civilian Joint Task Force and counter-insurgency in Borno State, Nigeria|journal=War Studies University|date=2020 |volume=31 |issue=4 |pages=171–188 |doi=10.35467/sdq/130867 |accessdate=2025-08-30|doi-access=free }}</ref> While the CJTF has been praised for its contributions to the fight against Boko Haram, it has faced several challenges and controversies. Issues include allegations of financial problems , logistical difficulties, and occasional conflicts with the military over coordination and operational control.<ref name="UNICEF"/><ref name="Sweat"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Civilian joint task force |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322261158}}</ref> Despite these challenges, the CJTF remains a crucial component of Nigeria's counter-insurgency strategy.{{fact|date=January 2025}}

Some efforts like the training given by agencies like United Nations Development Programme about human rights and better function in civilian life, trying to reduce the cases abuses.<ref name="Sweat"/><ref name="UNICEF">{{cite web|accessdate=2025-08-30 |title=UNDP trains vigilantes and Civilian Joint Task Force members in human rights and leadership |url=https://www.undp.org/nigeria/news/undp-trains-vigilantes-and-civilian-joint-task-force-members-human-rights-and-leadership |work=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref>

== Impact == The CJTF has been instrumental in supporting military operations and providing security in areas affected by insurgency. Its local knowledge and commitment have helped in reducing the impact of Boko Haram's attacks and stabilizing affected communities.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Okokah |first1=Happiness |last2=Ruwan |first2=Ibrahim Ignatius Felix |last3=Iliya |first3=Vakpa |last4=Akise |first4=Ogheneovie O. |last5=Chibueze |first5=Chukwu Daniel |date=2021-03-11 |title=ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COALITION JOINT TASKS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA |url=https://www.ijmsspcs.com/index.php/IJMSSPCS/article/view/168 |journal=International Journal of Management, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies |language=en |volume=4 |issue=1 |issn=2682-6127}}</ref> The task force's efforts have also contributed to the broader goal of restoring peace and security in northeastern Nigeria.{{fact|date=January 2025}}

==References== {{reflist}} {{Nigerian militant groups}}

Category:Boko Haram Category:Borno State Category:Counterterrorism in Nigeria Category:Rebel groups in Nigeria Category:Vigilantes Category:Yobe State Category:Irregular units and formations

{{Nigeria-stub}} Category:Militias in Africa Category:Paramilitary organizations based in Nigeria Category:Military of Nigeria