Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Saturday, recruited 150 vigilantes as part of efforts to flush out remnants of Boko Haram insurgents from the state.

Most of the recruits are Nigerians, with the rest being from neighbouring countries Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

To enhance their work, the vigilantes were presented with four surveillance vehicles and other fighting equipment at a brief ceremony held in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of the state.

The Borno State Commissioner for Local Governments and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai-Mele and a member of the Borno State House of Assembly, Usman Moruma and other officials of the State Government conducted the exercise.

News Express reports that the governor’s action is in keeping with the resolution of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum held in Maiduguri in August, which agreed to intensify efforts including intelligence sharing and vigilantè assistance.

An informed source close to the Borno State Government told News Express: “This is simply complementing the brave efforts of the Multinational Joint Military Taskforce (MNJTF). The military taskforce relies on the civilians for most of their maneuvering in tackling the insurgents because of their expert knowledge of the terrain.”