“We Have Arrested Thousands of Boko Haram Members in Lagos” — CJTF Commander

Hundreds of suspected Boko Haram members have been arrested across Lagos State, according to Mr. Kumar Sanda, a Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). Sanda made the disclosure on Wednesday, April 16, during an award ceremony in Lagos, highlighting the group’s ongoing efforts to prevent the infiltration of insurgents and bandits fleeing northern Nigeria into the state.

He stated that arrests are routinely made in trailer parks, quarries, markets, and other locations where individuals from the North often gather upon arrival in Lagos. “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,” he said.

Sanda noted that the CJTF monitors key entry points and individuals suspected of aiding insurgent movement into the state. “Not all Abokis are bad, but not all are good either. We are committed to keeping Lagos free from Boko Haram and banditry,” he added.

He emphasized that Boko Haram has no stronghold in Lagos and that the group’s presence is being closely monitored. “The Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor is constantly in touch with us to ensure the people sleep with their eyes closed,” Sanda said.

He further claimed that many of those arrested are not Nigerians but individuals who have crossed into the country illegally. “Whenever you see a man from Borno State, you might feel scared because of Boko Haram,” he said. “But many of those you see are not truly Nigerians. That’s not to say there are no Nigerians among them.”

Sanda explained that the CJTF uses local knowledge to track and identify new arrivals from states like Borno and Kano, relying on regional familiarity to distinguish individuals who may pose a threat.