President Jonathan Seeks Extension Of Emergency Rule In Borno, Yobe, Adamawa For Another Six Months

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday morning has sent a request to the National Assembly to approve the extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by another six months.

The extension needs to be approved by both chambers of the National Assembly.

The state of emergency was declared in May 2013 as part of government efforts to address the violent activities of Boko Haram rebels. It was extended for six months in November.

During the Presidential Media Chat on May 4, Jonathan said the emergency rule might be prolonged as it was necessary for the military to tackle the insurgency in the north-eastern Nigeria.

"Terrorism is not a phenomenon a six months or one year state of emergency can solve," the president said. 

Some politicians, however, opposed this idea. The governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, who are in the opposition All Progressives Congress, said earlier that the emergency rule had failed to achieve its goal. 

No fewer than two thousand people have been killed by Boko Haram insurgents in the three states in 2014 alone. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes to other Nigerian states or abroad.

One of the most appalling crimes committed by the Islamist sect has been the abduction of more than 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, a month ago. The girls have been missing since then.

Nigerian military and the international community have joined forces to rescue the teenagers.

Source: Legit.ng