President Goodluck Jonathan has told
the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon that the state of
emergency in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa might be called off
before the end of six months initial prescription by the Constitution.
The President said with the level of
success so far recorded by the military in the affected states, he was
optimistic that the emergency rule would end soon.
“The military intervention in the
affected states is going on well. There is no human rights abuse and there is
no collateral damage with regards to security of individuals. I am optimistic
that with the level of success already being recorded, the emergency rule in
the affected states may not last up to the six months stipulated by the
Constitution,” he told Ban.
Jonathan also said that reports at
his disposal showed that the relationship between civilians and soldiers on
duty had been excellent.
He said the soldiers’ rules of
engagements and operation order were well defined and presence of troops in the
areas had been welcomed by the residents.
The President added that his recent
order for the release of women and children being held by security agencies was
a sign of commitment to resolving the security challenge within the ambit of
the law, assuring the UN Secretary-General that the state of emergency was not
designed to inflict suffering on the civilians.
Jonathan also assured him that
Nigeria would continue to play its leading role in the West African sub region.
Ban had earlier sympathised with the
government and people of Nigeria over the violence being unleashed on parts of
the country by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
He noted that terrorism had become a
global challenge and identified with the Federal Government on efforts being
made to resolve the challenge. He also advised that there should be prudent and
cautious measures to protect civilian population living in the affected areas.
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Politics