State of Emergency; Matters Arising.
1. On paragraph 1, of President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech, of May 14th 2013 (Declaration of State of Emergency), he mentioned eleven states (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau, Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa) as states with serious security challenges, but he ended up declaring state of emergency on only three states (Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa). He didn’t outline the security measures for the remaining states and the remaining parts of the country. 2. State of emergency was declared before by his government, in most of the affected states. Could the President, please shed more light, on the achievements, gains or otherwise of that previous exercise. 3. On Paragraph 13, the President directed the Chief of Defence Staff to deploy more troops. This is what Mr. President should have done since, and perhaps save more lives and properties. Let me add here that, deployment of troops would not yield the desired results without effective intelligence gathering. 4. President Goodluck Jonathan should have also declared a state of emergency on high rates of kidnapping at the South East, South South, South West etc. 5. On paragraph 6, Mr. President acknowledged that the activities of these terrorists, insurgents (I would add, criminals and kidnappers) amounted to a declaration of war. Therefore, a state of war exists. In war situations, the leader should mobilize the entire citizens, for the common objective of defeating the enemy. Without mobilizing the local and indigenous people, this exercise might not go far. Effective policing is a collective effort(s), it requires the active support and participation of the local communities. He needs to win their hearts, minds, loyalty and support. These, he is yet to do or failed to do. 6. Nigerian Customs and Exercise deserves a state of emergency too, for failing to protect our borders, from where numerous arms and ammunitions have found their way into the country. Nothing short of disbanding the organization will be acceptable. May God bless Nigeria. C.V.Akuta UK 15/05/13.
