Civilian Joint Task Force

The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) 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. The CJTF's 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. Their work is crucial in supporting military efforts and enhancing security in affected areas. 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). The CJTF has suffered about 600 casualties in the conflict, counting both lost and missing members.

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.