The Borno State government on Thursday launched a training programme for 800 youth vigilante group members, known as Civilian JTF, under the government’s Neighbourhood Watch Programme.

Governor Kashim Shettima launched the programme at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Orientation Camp in Maiduguri.

Shettima said that the training was part of his administration’s plan to provide re-orientation for the youths by transforming them for better productivity.

He said that the trainees were selected from all parts of the state to ensure even spread and that at the end of the exercise the trainees would be employed and posted to serve as members of the neighbourhood watch in their respective communities for effective community policing.

“By this gesture, government is trying to fight unemployment and poverty among our youths as well as ensure security of lives and property,” the governor said.

He said further: “We regard the evolution of the youth vigilante group as the miracle of our time because the government and the entire people of the state will always remember the role they played in the restoration of peace.”

Shettima advised the trainees to take the programme seriously in order to achieve the desired result.