Jonathan Ends State of Emergency in 15 Northern LGs

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Category: Politics
Published on Thursday, 19 July 2012 22:05
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After six months, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday announced the end to most extensive post-independence state of emergency he declared in 15 local government areas of four Northern states in the North Central and North East geo-political zones on December 31, 2012.

Accordingly, the President ordered the immediate withdrawal of Soldiers from the affected areas and directed that the appropriate authorities at the local and state government to take full charge of security in the four Northern states which include Plateau, Yobe, Niger and Borno.

Following the bombing of a church in Madalla, Niger State which killed scores of people in December, President Jonathan had declared state of emergency in the affected parts, saying it was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 305 (1) (3) (c) (d) and (f) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The National Assembly later approved the proclamation to last for an initial period of six months.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke in statement he issued after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting president over by President Jonathan, noted that the state of emergency was called off to provide a good playing ground for confidence building measures to boost security the affected.

"The Federal Government has after a careful review of the security situation in the affected areas, resolved to end the State of Emergency forthwith. This is to enable government to put in place appropriate confidence building measures to improve security in the affected areas", Adoke stated.

The statement by the AGF which was made available to State House Correspondents furthers reads in part: "In furtherance of the end of the proclamation, the President has accordingly directed that the implementation of the following regulations made pursuant to the proclamation of State of Emergency in the affected Local Government Areas should cease forthwith.

"These are Emergency powers (General) regulation 2012, Emergency Powers (Restriction Order) Regulations 2012, Emergency Powers (Reporting of Persons) Regulations 2012, Emergency powers (Detention of Persons) Regulations 2012, Emergency Powers (Procession and Meetings etc) Regulations 2012, Emergency Powers (Curfew) Regulations 2012, Emergency Powers (Declaration of Protection Places) Regulations 2012 and Emergency Powers (Possession of Explosives) Regulations 2012.

"The Federal Government wishes to reiterate that with the end of the State of Emergency, the appropriate authorities at the Local and State Government levels shall be responsible for the maintenance of security, law and order in the affected areas. The Federal government will continue to work assiduously with relevant stakeholders to ensure security in the country and calls for concerted efforts by all citizens to secure the country", the minister added.

The local government areas where the state of emergency declared by the president in a nationwide broadcast aired on National televisions and Radios are Maiduguri Metropolitan, Gamboru Ngala, Banki BamaN Biu and Jere in Borno State; Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom in Plateau State; Damaturu, Geidam, Potiskum, Buniyadi-Gujba and Gusau-Bade in Yobe State; and Suleja in Niger State.