The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore calls by governors and other stakeholders of states in the North-East not to extend the emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, describing the calls as unpatriotic.
The emergency rule is expected to come to an end on April 19 with calls on the president from leaders in the region not to extend it because according to them, the killings have not stopped.
IYC, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Eric Omare, also faulted the comparison drawn by the governors of the affected states between the ongoing killings in the North-East and the militancy in the Niger Delta in the last few years.
The group noted that the persistence of the mayhem being unleashed on the people of the troubled states, despite the ongoing military campaign was an indication that there was need for the emergency rule to be extended.
The group also said all those calling for an end to the emergency rule, despite the fact that more people are still being killed and peace still eluding the region should be considered as sponsors of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgence.
“Their sole reason for making the call is that the state of emergency has not worked because the terrorists’ activities have not abated in any way. The three Governors argued further that the JTF quelled the insurgency in the Niger Delta without a declaration of state of emergency.
“The IYC regard this call as unpatriotic and not in the best interest of the people of the North East, especially the youths considering the present situation of insecurity in the North East. It is on record that before the declaration of state of emergency, the terrorists had taken over most parts of those states which they were using as their camps and it was the military that sent them packing. Also, the comparison between the Niger Delta hostilities and the insurgency in the North East is unfounded.
“The IYC wish to state that the fact that the activities of the terrorists have not abated despite the existing state of emergency is a justification to extend the state of emergency. If despite the existence of a state of emergency, terrorism has not abated in the north east, it follows that without the declaration of a state of emergency, the security situation in the north eastern part of Nigeria would have degenerated to the situation obtainable in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen”, the statement said.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate