From Adigun David, Lagos

The Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Lagos State, Mr. Kumar Sanda, has confirmed the arrest of hundreds of suspected Boko Haram members in the State.

Kumar made the disclosure on Wednesday while speaking at an award ceremony in Lagos, where he highlighted the CJTF’s on-going efforts to prevent the infiltration of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits fleeing the North into Lagos.

At the event held at the Airport Hotel, Lagos, Kumar received the Best Security Group in Lagos award from the Nigerian Human Rights Community.

According to the CJTF Commander, arrests are regularly made at trailer parks, quarries, markets, and other locations where people from the North are known to gather upon arriving in Lagos.

He affirmed the CJTF’s commitment to upholding the mandate of the Lagos State government to ensure the state does not become a haven for insurgents escaping military operations in the North.

“If I should mention the number of Boko Haram members we have arrested in Lagos State, people will not believe it. But we have arrested thousands.

“The CJTF monitors trailer parks, and quarries, and checks truck pushers because we understand the channels through which they enter Lagos.

“Our people must remain vigilant. Not all Abokis are bad, but not all are good either. We are committed to keeping Lagos free from Boko Haram and banditry.

“Boko Haram has no domain in Lagos State. The Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor is constantly in touch with us to ensure the people sleep with their eyes closed,” Kumar said.

The Commander, however, cautioned against assuming that all terrorists operating in the North were Nigerians; while not absolving Nigerians entirely.