TWO hundred and fifty ex-members of the youth vigilance group, Civilian-JTF, who had been sup­porting the Nigerian military in the fight against Boko Haram, have concluded military training and have been fully inducted into the Nigerian Army.

The newly recruited troopers on Friday visited the Government House Maiduguri, to thank the state governor, Kashim Shettima. They appreci­ated Mr. Shettima for helping them to be enlisted into the military.

The new soldiers, all clad in their combat fa­tigues, marched into the Government House amidst cheers from their fellow Civilian-JTF members.

Benjamin Solomon, the leader of the team and commander of the parade, addressed the governor at the government house.

“We are here to say thank for making us become soldiers of our great country. We thank the presi­dent and we thank our father, the Chief of Army Staff, who ensured that we are soldiers today,” said Mr. Solomon.

“The emergence of the Civilian-JTF is a game changer in the fight against Boko Haram,” said Governor Shettima.

“One major issue that needs to be reported is the once strained relationship that existed between the people of our states and the military. But with the emergence of the Civilian-JTF the relationship became cordial. When the historical epoch of the Boko Haram insurgency is being written, the Ci­vilian-JTF will have a chunk place of recognition.