The Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Lagos, Mr. Kumar Sanda, has revealed that hundreds of suspected Boko Haram members have been arrested across the state.
Speaking on Wednesday at an award ceremony at Airport Hotel, Lagos, where the CJTF was honoured with the Best Security Group in Lagos award by the Nigerian Human Rights Community, Sanda detailed the group’s ongoing efforts to prevent insurgents and bandits fleeing military operations in the North from infiltrating Lagos.
He explained that arrests are frequently made at trailer parks, quarries, markets, and other known gathering points for new arrivals from the North. According to him, “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.”
He added that the CJTF actively monitors truck pushers, trailer parks, and quarries, understanding how insurgents attempt to enter Lagos undetected. “Not all Abokis are bad, but not all are good either,” he said. “We are committed to keeping Lagos free from Boko Haram and banditry.”
Sanda assured the public that Boko Haram “has no domain in Lagos,” and confirmed that the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor maintains regular communication with the CJTF to ensure the safety of residents.
He also cautioned that many terrorists operating in the North may not be Nigerians, noting that several insurgents infiltrate the country’s porous borders while posing as citizens. While acknowledging that Boko Haram originated in Borno State, Sanda stressed that not all individuals from Borno or the North should be feared or profiled.
“We track truck routes and monitor new arrivals,” he said. “A person from Borno can identify another from his state; the same applies to Kano and other regions.”
The CJTF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Lagos State Government’s security efforts and maintaining vigilance to prevent any form of insurgency from taking root in the state.
