Emergency Rule Records Huge Success In Three Months – FG

Emergency RulePrecisely three months into the state of emergency declared in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in May, the Federal Government on Wednesday described it as a “huge success”.

The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, said this in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that the emergency rule had helped in the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.

She said before the emergency rule that part of the nation was under threat as Boko Haram insurgents had almost succeeded in usurping powers from the authority of the Nigerian State.

“Today marks three months when Mr President declared the state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno. A lot has been achieved in three months.

“It has halted the threat to Nigeria’s unity as you know the unity of this country is paramount.

“Mr President as the leader of this country has ensured that the unity of this country is preserved and protected.

“It has also ensured the preservation of the territorial integrity of our country and prevented the usurpation of the authority of the Nigerian state.

“If you will recall, you heard that the insurgents are already hoisting their flags all over some of the areas, especially in Borno, they stopped at Bulabulin Nganaram and we thank God for that.

“Of course the high level of professionalism that has been displayed by our military and other security forces of the country most, especially when dealing with this kind of insurgency whereby we are actually fighting an internal war.

“We are at peace with our neighbours, but the problem is internal.

“And so we need to always observe the rules of engagement and also the respect for human rights and so on,” she said.

The minister said some members of the insurgents had been arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution. (NAN)