FG ends emergency rule in 15 northern LGs

July 19, 2012 by Olalekan Adetayo 

 

Mohammed Adoke
| credits:

The Federal Government on Wednesday ended the State of Emergency declared in 15 local governments areas in 2011 at the peak of the violence unleashed on the northern part of the country by members of Boko Haram sect.

President Goodluck Jonathan had on December 31, 2011 in a nationwide broadcast, declared emergency rule in Maiduguri Metropolitan, Gamboru Ngala, Banki Bama and Jere in Borno State, Damaturu, Geidam, Potiskum, Buniyadi-Gujba and Gasua-Bade in Yobe State.

Also affected were Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom in Plateau State as well as Suleja Local Government in Niger State.

Jonathan had said he invoked the State of Emergency in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the provisions of Section 305(1) of the Constitution.

But the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, in a statement on Wednesday said the government resolved to end the emergency rule forthwith after a careful review of the security situation in the affected areas.

Adoke added that the decision was taken to enable government to put in place appropriate confidence building measures to improve security in the affected areas.

He recalled that the President’s proclamation, as approved by the National Assembly, was for an initial period of six months, hence, the need to end it.

The AGF said with the end of the proclamation, Jonathan had accordingly directed that the implementation of the regulations made pursuant to the proclamation should cease.

The regulations which must cease forthwith in the areas, according to him, are the Emergency Powers (General) Regulations, 2012; Emergency Powers (Restriction Order) Regulations, 2012; Emergency Powers (Reporting of Persons) Regulations, 2012 and the Emergency Powers (Detention of Persons) Regulations, 2012.

Others are the Emergency Powers (Procession and Meetings, etc) Regulations 2012; Emergency Powers (Curfew) Regulations 2012; Emergency Powers (Declaration of Protected Places) Regulations 2012; and the Emergency Powers (Possession of Explosives) Regulations, 2012.

Adoke said, “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 other 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.”

SOURCE: The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 19 July 2012.