Twenty four hours after the declaration of state of emergency in three states, President Jonathan is yet to transmit copies of the official gazette containing the proclamation, including the details of the emergency to the leadership of the National Assembly. The President`s action huhuonline.com learnt negates section 305 of the Nigerian constitution, which stipulates that the letter should reach the lawmakers within two days when the National Assembly is in session.
Inspite of this anomaly, the military has resumed offensive against Boko Haram Islamic sect. Huhuonline.com gathered that Military has conducted raids in some terrorist hide out in the “Sambisa Game Reserve” in Borno State. While over 2,000 troops have been deployed to recapture territory seized previously by Boko Haram.
A dusk to dawn curfew (6p.m to 6a.m) has been imposed across Adamawa State. Lieutenant Ja-afar Mohammed Nuhu, Nigerian Army spokesperson in Adamawa, in a press statement issued, Thursday, urged all the residents to abide by the curfew.
However, Murtala Nyako, governor of Adamawa State, has queried the decision to declare a State of Emergency in the state.
Gov. Nyako in a broadcast to residents of the state questioned why Adamawa, which, in his words, “has been judged the most peaceful state among the six states in the North East region was included.”
He, however, pledged his support to the emergency rule declaration and urged residents of the state to be calm and prayerful during this period.
He warned parents to keep an on eye on their ward stressing that women and youth suffer most during a state of emergency.
In the same vein,Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, stated that every resource available” to the armed forces would be used in the operation against Boko Haram.
Nevertheless, the Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) ,said, it would establish a team that would monitor the conduct of the military in enforcing the state of emergency declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
The group`s Deputy National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Fati Ibrahim, made this disclosure after its National Executive Council meeting chaired by Alhaji Aliko Mohammed in Kaduna.
In his words, “The team will collect information and evidence from the field and determine if at all times, the military campaign is conforming with the published terms of engagement and other human rights conventions to which Nigeria is signatory to.
“In particular, the ACF calls on the military to avoid the temptation of deploying heavy handed tactics or adopt measures that will cause increased casualties and bloodshed under the cover of emergency rule.”
