Governor Babagana Zulum has given N5 million each to the families of eight members of the Civilian Joint Task Force recently killed in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.

Mr Zulum, who announced this on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of the deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarships to their children.

The CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno and other parts of the North-East.

“I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.

Furthermore, the Borno government will provide full educational scholarships to all children of the deceased CJTF members.

“For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.

The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people.

Mr Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.

The CJTF operatives were killed on Tuesday by IEDs.

(NAN)