An NGO, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative (ADAPHAI) has called on the Federal Government to quickly declare a state of emergency in Borno State.
Mr Sulaimon Suberu, ADAPHAI National Coordinator made the call on Monday during a news conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Ibadan.
ADAPHAI is an organisation with sole responsibility of propagating peace and non-violent culture in Africa.
Suberu said that the declaration of ‘state of emergency’ in the state would allow full military operation in Borno to serve as a launch pad in the North-East.
“It should be noted that a full military operation in Borno will have a multiplier effect on the fight against insurgency in the geo-political zone.
“And also portray a total commitment to the war against insurgency on the part of the Federal Government,” he said.
He described the call for the removal of service chiefs over the massacre of farmers in Borno as reactionary, but reflection of paucity of tactics and strategy.
“Strictly speaking, disbandment of the military commanding height ar this time is not only dangerous, it would be counter-productive, and turn the fight to the war of attrition,” he said.
Suberu said that the degenerating security situation in Borno which remained the epicentre of terrorism in the North-East was as a result of quasi-military operation.
According to him, “the quasi-military intervention in the North-East, and Borno in particular, is adversely affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of the military operation in the zone.
“And activities of these criminal elements is becoming more pronounced and endemic.”
He cautioned the National Assembly to eschew mischief, and patriotically support state of emergency in Borno as a proactive step to flatten the curve of insurgency in the zone.
The ADAPHAI boss said that they are worried with the turn of events in the North-Eastern Nigeria and the attendant approach of the Nigerian parliament.
