Family of slain civilian joint task force member – who died while fighting bandits in Nigeria’s northwest – have appealed to the Borno State government to continue to support them.

A high-ranking civilian joint task force (CJTF) member has been killed by armed bandits in Sokoto State in Nigeria’s extreme northwest.

Habila Joshua, the chairman of the CJTF in the Wulari Christian camp, a settlement for internally displaced persons (IDP) in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, was among 300 members who were deployed to Sokoto State in February to curb escalating banditry.

In January, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, the governor of Sokoto State, asked for help to stop attacks by bandits. He said the state needed about 2,000 security personnel to function as backup.

Before requesting help, Aliyu Sokoto approached Babagana Umara Zulum, the Borno State governor, who gave his approval.

Sokoto was being “plagued by bandits”, who abducted schoolchildren for ransom, attacked and killed residents, and stole and destroyed property, he said, adding that the bandits were causing “mayhem”. Other northwestern states –including Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna – were also suffering at the hands of bandits.

Three hundred security operatives – comprising 150 CJTF members, 100 hunters and 50 vigilantes – were sent to help security operatives in Sokoto.

Habila’s grieving family told RNI that they were devastated by his death.

Marry Joshua, his sister, said her brother was married and had 11 children.

“They are terribly sad and his wife is struggling to make ends meet.”

Marry said she was in regular contact with her brother.

“We talked often on the phone. I used to call to find out how he was doing. He also phoned me to check on the family.

“He always seemed upbeat and did not talk about security business.

“The last time we spoke he told me that their mission in Sokoto was almost complete. He said he would be home soon and he was looking forward to seeing everyone again.

“While we were speaking, I did not know it would be the last time I would hear his voice.

“I tried to call him afterwards but I could not get through. I tried several times for days but each time it was the same.

“It worried us because it was not like him not to answer. And if I did not call him, he used to phone me. After a few days of silence, we started to make enquiries and that was how we got the sad news that he had been killed by bandits about 10 days before.”

Marry said her brother was like a father to the whole family, including his brothers and sisters. He financially supported his mother, his wife and children.

“He was the breadwinner and he looked after all of us. In fact, Habila’s death is a great loss not only for his family but also for the entire Wulari Christian IDP camp, whose residents respected and admired him.

“He was loved by everyone. When he was alive, he always did his best to help everyone in the camp. He campaigned for humanitarian intervention from non-governmental organisations and philanthropists to try to cushion the hardships of displaced people.

“The people in the camp looked up to him and went to him if they had problems. Everyone was shocked to hear the news of his death.

“The whole Habila family, particularly his wife and children, are devastated. We are going through challenging times. Although the state government sent Habila’s monthly stipend to his family this month, we do not know what will happen in future. We do not know if the state government will continue to pay. We fear that they will stop sending the stipend now that he has died. We don’t know how the family will survive financially.

“Right now, Habila’s wife is farming to get food for her children. They are struggling to live. I do not know what will become of them. I am appealing to the Borno State government to continue to support Habila’s family.”

Joel Omba, Habila’s mother, said her son was kind and generous.

“He was a dedicated member of the civilian joint task force and he was committed to serving and protecting the lives and property of not only the citizens of Borno State but also Nigeria as a whole.

“He did not flinch when he was called upon to go to Sokoto four months ago. He was willing to fight against evil. He was so strong. We did not think he would die in action. But he did not make it.

“It was devastating to hear the news of his death especially as he left a widow and 11 children.

“But we have to count our blessings. We are lucky because Habila’s body was found and brought home by CJTF members and other security operatives. We were able to give him a proper burial 13 days after he died in Sokoto State.

Joel Omba said the whole family, including Habila’s wife and 11 children, were living in the Wulari Christian IDP camp in Maiduguri. The family moved into the camp after they fled from the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State about 10 years ago.

“Boko Haram [the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād – JAS] displaced us. We were forced to flee during a violent attack. We were fortunate that we made it out alive.

“There are lots of people from Gwoza in the camp. They also had to flee their ancestral hometowns.

“Right now, six of Habila’s children are living with me in the camp and the remaining five are with their mother.

“With Habila gone, it is now my responsibility as a grandmother to take care of my grandchildren despite our critical living conditions.

“We are praying that the Borno State government and the leadership of the CJTF will continue to support Habila’s family. Otherwise, we don’t know what will become of us. We are praying for mercy.”

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO