More soldiers have been deployed in Madalla, Niger State, Jos and Maiduguri, following the declaration of state of emergency in 15 local governments of the state by the Federal Government.
Also, residents of Maiduguri reported a sharp increase in patrols and checkpoints, with soldiers in pickup trucks and armed with rifles stopping vehicles and forcing drivers to exit while also questioning them.
In Jos, security agents took over local government headquarters and two helicopters hovered overhead, while intensified patrols occurred on the ground.
While some welcomed the declaration, others raised concerns that it would provide legal cover for soldiers to carry out further abuses.
A northern-based rights activist, Shehu Sani, said, “The declaration of a state of emergency by the Federal Government will not stop or reduce the spate of violence across the affected areas, but will simply be a blank cheque for human rights violations by security agents.
“Civilians will continue to be at the mercy of the military and the militants. A dialogue still remains the valid option to end this bloodletting.”
Meanwhile, the state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday has taken effect as a curfew was imposed on Madalla town, Suleija Local Government, Niger State leading to restriction of movement of people and goods in the area.
The town was the scene of the Christmas Day bomb blast at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church by Boko Haram.
A resident told our correspondent on Sunday that movement had been restricted from 10pm to 6 am daily even as soldiers and policemen were deployed to enforce the order in the area.
“Residents have been directed to stay in their house from 10pm to 6am daily; so the town has become quiet and movement is therefore limited. Security agents have been deployed in the streets to ensure that the law is complied with,” she stated.
The Punch
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