The Senate yesterday approved the extension of emergency rule sought by President Goodluck Jonathan on May 13, in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States for another six months.
The approval which was accompanied by a resolution that full military operation be deployed to the affected states with the aim of combating prevalent insurgency in the area, was predicated on adoption of eight conditions.
The extension which was unanimously approved without a dissenting voice, laid to rest Northern senators’ threat last week to shut down further move by the president to extend the emergency rule.
The lawmakers decided to endorse the extension yesterday during the executive session held after they had ealier held a leadership meeting.
The Senators however attached eight conditions to the approval. They include urging the president to submit supplementary budget to meet any establishment financial requirements needed to combat insurgency in the affected area, drawing up an economic marshall plan for the revival of the economy of the affected states in collaboration with the state governments and full military operation undertaken on sustained basis.
Others are monthly briefing by the ministers of defence and police affairs, service chiefs, national security adviser and director general of the State Security Service on the progress made in the fight against insurgency; special the recruitment and emergency training of screened and vetted youths into armed forces especially members of Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) for redeployment into troubled zone as well as proper kitting and arming of Nigeria’s armed forces deployed to arrest insurgency and adequate welfare care for troops.
Also included in the conditions were a plea to the president to immediately approve intervention funds for the affected states for the purpose of development as well as endorsement of the support of the international community regarding efforts to rescue the abducted students of Government Secondary School, Chibok and further exploration of this co-operation in the overall move to arrest terrorism in the land.
