Emergency rule begins in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno

The President talked tough last night on the crippling insecurity in the country, especially in some parts of the North. Terrorists, he said, will be hunted down and defeated.

Dr Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three Northeast states  Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where killings, mostly by Boko Haram insurgents, have persisted. He addressed the nation in a 15-minute broadcast.

The President exhibited a tough mien during the speech, saying the activities of insurgents amounted to “a declaration of war” on the country.

But he spared the democratic institutions in the states. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary will continue to function.

Jonathan said he based his action on Section 305 (1) of the Constitution. He got support from some eminent lawyers, lawmakers and political leaders, who said he acted within the law.

Minutes after the presidential speech last night, the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, Rev. Faye Pama Musa, was shot dead. He was killed inside his Maiduguri home by people suspected to be members of the  Boko Haram.

The head pastor of a pentecostal church in Maiduguri was trailed to his GRA residence by two gunmen who shot him at close range at about 7.30pm.

House of Representatives spokesman Zakari Mohammed said the lawmakers would back the action “as long as it will guarantee peace and security.”

Others, however, criticised the presidential action as “half hearted”. It is not likely to end the insurgency which has crippled economic and social activities in the affected states  in their view.

Culled from The Nation