Nyako: Why We’re Opposed To Extension Of Emergency Rule In Adamawa

April 6, 2014

Following the Borno-Yobe People’s Forum opposition to any attempt by the Federal Government to extend the emergency rule in the North-East due to terminate on April 19, the Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako and his Borno State counterpart, Kashim Shettima, have called for a review of the security strategy in the region.

Nyako argued that extending the emergency rule would be counterproductive as records have shown that Boko Haram carried out more daring attacks that resulted in higher number of casualties during the period than when it was not in place.
Speaking through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ahmad Sajoh, Nyako said what was required was a change of strategy, not an extension of the emergency rule.
He explained that those carrying out acts of terror against the citizens hide under the guise of emergency rule to perpetrate their dastardly acts, which had led to the loss of many lives and destruction of property worth billions of naira.
According to Sajoh: “Our position is that we do not support the renewal of the state of emergency in the North-East in general and in Adamawa State in particular.
“It is under the state of emergency that more people were killed in our state when compared to the period when there was no state of emergency.
“It is under the guise of the state of emergency that those who have unleashed violence on our people have carried out the most daring attacks”.
On his part, Shettima, who also spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Isa Gusau, said he had no desire of joining issues with the Federal Government.
He said “We believe that the Federal Government will continue to do its best to ensure the end of the insurgency and we on our part are prepared to partner with it. A review of strategy will not be out of place”.
Yobe State Governor, Ibrahi Gaidam could not be reached for comments. Calls put through to his Director of Press, Mr. Abdullahi Bego, were successful as at the time of filing this report.