Emergency Rule has failed – Borno/Yobe Forum

By Umar Muhammad Puma

The Borno/Yobe People’s Forum (BYPF), yesterday declared that they will resist any attempt by the federal government to extend the current state of emergency imposed in their state, which expires on the 19th of April, 2014, saying it does to serve the purpose for which it was invoked.

The Forum, at a world press conference in Abuja read by Air Marshal El-Amin Daggash (rtd), said the bloodletting has not only continued to escalate but has become more daring, which has led to the loss of over 17,000 lives.

To this end, the forum said the State of Emergency should be put-off to enable the states’ governors to use their merger resources for the reconstruction of the states as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of its people.

According to him, “Official statistics released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), revealed that over three million peoples have been displaced by the insurgency and terrorist attacks in the affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in the first three months of 2014 alone, most of the victims are women and children, and the elderly”.

The forum said it was disturbed that for the past two to three years, farmers in the affected areas could not access their farms.

It added that the lack of food, water, electricity, shelter and the inability to pursue any kind of gainful employment have resulted into the systemic destruction of the economies of the affected areas and the psyche of the people.

The forum also called for thorough investigation into human right abuses, including the alleged extra-judicial killing, maiming, torture, rapes and abduction that may have been committed during the insurgency and expedite the trail of security agents that were implicated in the extra judiciary of Mohammed Yusuf and others which precipitated the crisis.

It further urged the federal government to secure all borders, especially Cameroon, Chad and Niger, to arrest the influx of mercenaries, arms and ammunitions into the country. And to investigate the violation Nigerian airspace in which Helicopters were allege to be dropping arms in Birnin-Gwari, Benue a well as the north east.

“We urge the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ambassador Usman Galtimari and Barrister Tanimu Turaki Presidential committee and call on the members of the Boko Haram to sheath their sword and dialogue with the authorities, to find long lasting solutions to whatever grievances they may have”.

The briefing was attended by Malam Adamu Ciroma, Air Marshal El-Amin Daggash (rtd), Ambassador Baba-Gana Kingibe, Sen. Ali Ndume, Major-Gen. Sale Maina rtd. Dr. Shettima Mustapha, Haj. Amra Imam, Secretary to the Borno state government representing Borno state Governor Baba Ahmed Jidda, among others.