Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke
The federal government will seek a third extension of emergency rule in the terrorist-ravaged northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa from the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, has said.
Adoke said that after the review of the state of emergency in the affected states, the government decided that it would ask the National Assembly for an extension.
The AGF spoke to journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan’s meeting with the service chiefs.
The meeting followed the expiration of the second phase of the emergency rule in the affected areas as approved by the National Assembly.
Te service chiefs tactically avoided speaking with journalists after the meeting s they walked hurriedly to their waiting cars in order to avoid State House correspondents, who laid wait for them.
It was learnt the the meeting centered essentially on the mapping out new strategy to crush the rampaging Boko Haram insurgents.
The insurgent group has gained in boldness in recent times, invading territories and declaring its own, calling to question the effectiveness of the emergency rule in the three states.
Adoke gave indication that the request for the extension of the emergency rule would be sent to the National Assembly immediately.
The federal government had imposed emergency rule on the three states in May last year, following persistent killings and maiming in the areas by the violent terrorist group, Boko Haram.
The state of emergency has since been extended twice with no end in sight to the reign of terror in the North-east.
Reacting to the decision to extend the emergency rule in the three states, Adamawa State Governor, Bala Jame Ngilari, said it was a welcome development insofar as the constitution is strictly adhered to.
