Group wants civilian JTF to curb terrorism in Abuja

The Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, an NGO, on Thursday called for the establishment of civilian Joint Task Force to curb insurgency in Abuja.
The National Coordinator of the association, Emmanuel Onwubiko, made the appeal in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
The statement said that a civilian JTF, if established, would partner closely with security operatives to fish out undesirable elements with links to armed insurgents.
According to the statement, the group condemned the spate of bomb attacks in the nation’s capital.
It further urged the Federal Capital Territory Authority to put in place mechanism for comprehensive, but free and compulsory residential biometric registration, for all residents of the city.
It said: “And the setting up of coordinating council of all the districts of the city to be composed of trusted and tested landlords and tenants with credible crime free records.
“They are to monitor activities of all residents of their residential areas and document, and track movement of all persons on daily basis.”
It further said that since Abuja residents have become endangered species from the imminent attacks, “it has become imperative that urgent measures are adopted to save the lives and property of Nigerians.
“Since the armed insurgents have successfully attacked several areas in Abuja with high casualties, it is necessary that the residents set up voluntary security joint task force.
“Its mandate will cover surveillance on all flash points and partnership with accredited security agencies to check the infiltration of Abuja by insurgents.”