Heavy troop movements were yesterday reported in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states as Armed Forces began combined operations to rout the Boko Haram Islamic sect.
The insurgents have held some parts of the North hostage since 2009.
Residents said army trucks carrying soldiers entered Yola and Maiduguri immediately after the presidential proclamation.
A resident said that he saw six trucks carrying soldiers coming to Yola, while some residents in Maiduguri also reported an influx of troops.
The mood was tense in the city. Shops were mostly shut and there were few people on the streets. Schools were closed.
“What I saw this morning scared me,” said
one Ahmed Mari. “I have never seen soldiers on the move quite like this before.”
Another resident, Kabir Laoye, voiced widespread fears that civilians could be caught up in the conflict.
“There is a lot of apprehension about the state of emergency,” he said.
Also in Maiduguri, convoys of military vehicles were seen on Monday night heading North into the rural expanse that borders Niger and Chad.
The operations followed Tuesday’s proclamation of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan due to the escalation of violent attacks by insurgents in the area.
Director, Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja said security operatives had begun a clampdown to rid the nation’s border territories of terrorist bases.
Olukolade added that the operation would focus on tracking criminal elements within the affected areas.
The Defence Headquarters, however, assured law abiding citizens that it would ensure safety of civilians and non-combatants within the period of the operation.
“In furtherance of the Commander-in-Chief ’s directive, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies have commenced operations to rid the nation’s border territories of terrorist bases and activities.
“The military operation will focus on tracking down criminal elements within the vicinity of border communities prone to terrorist activities,” he stated.
The Defence Headquarters also added that the move was to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It was, however, silent on the specific number of men that would be involved in the operations.
Olukolade said participating troops have been appropriately briefed on the modalities for arrests, cordon and search.
“The operations, which will involve massive deployment of men and resources is aimed at asserting the nation’s territorial integrity and enhancing the security of constituted governmental structures in all territories within Nigeria’s borders.
“The operational plans have also briefed participating troops appropriately on arrests, cordon and search especially directed at apprehending those who have been violating sovereignty of Nigeria through terrorist training for insurgency and related activities. The operation is expected to put an end to insurgent activities in these parts of the country.
“The Defence Headquarters assures law abiding citizens that every effort has been put in place to ensure safety of civilians and non-combatants while the operations last.
“All citizens are enjoined to cooperate with troops and supply necessary information on criminal and terrorist activities or movement in their locality as the operation is intended to safeguard the nation’s interests and citizens in all parts of the Federation,” Olukolade said.
The governors of the affected states have also called on their citizens to cooperate with security agencies in the efforts to stamp out terrorism in that part of the country.
In a televised broadcast, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, solicited for more prayers from the people of the state for the restoration of peace to the state, even as he urged the people to support and cooperate with all the security agencies who are charged with the sole responsibility of tackling the Boko Haram insurgency.
“In this trying moment I urge everybody to fervently pray for the return of peace in our dear Borno State and in all other parts of Nigeria, to pave the way for rapid recovery and the socioeconomic transformation that we so desperately seek to put in place as a Government, “the governor said.
Shettima added that President Jonathan had the constitutional powers to declare a state of emergency in any state of the federation.
“It is the constitutional responsibility of the President to take such measures. It is also the duty of any responsible state government to support lawful efforts that would guarantee the security of lives and properties.
“It can never be the wish of any guarded democratic government to have the military directly involved in the affairs of any federating unit except for unfortunate and painful causes.
“As the military leaders have said in discourses that the armoury of Nigerian soldiers is not meant to fight fellow Nigerians, the armoury is meant to protect fellow Nigerians.
“A human life is sacred, more so, the life of every good Nigerian, no matter whose it is; and we all have moral, spiritual and social obligations to preserve and respect the lives of one another as we would want ours to be so preserved and respected,” he added.
The governor regretted the killings and wanton destruction of properties in the state since 2009, noting that every human life is sacred.
“Allah emphatically said in the Holy Quran that he has dignified every human being. He has placed high premium on the sacredness of human lives and as His dignified creatures; we should obediently respect the lives of fellow creatures. Let us be our brothers’ keeper,” he said.
The governor warned that emergency rule comes with rules different from those that guide day-to-day lives, and therefore urged the people of the state to take personal steps to avoid being caught by the unfamiliar rules.
Shettima also urged the military to abide by the directive of the President to operate under the rules of engagement so that innocent lives and their properties would be jealously preserved and protected.
“I further seize this opportunity for the umpteenth time, to call on our brothers in the Jama’atu ahliss Sunnah lil Da’awatu wal Jihad (Boko Haram) to embrace dialogue so that we can solve this problem on the table through collective bargaining, offers and compromises. I am glad to note that the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution, is still working round the clock as also emphasised by the President,” he added.
In Yobe State, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam yesterday threw his weight behind the declaration of state of emergency in his state.
This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Information, Abdullahi Bego.
The statement said: “I agree with the President on the imposition of state of emergency in Yobe State, as there is no alternative to peace and security to people’s lives and property.”
He said there was the need to take more effective measures in addressing the problems of insecurity in the country, as the Boko Haram insurgency had claimed many lives and property in the last four years.
The statement reads: “This administration and its citizens have expressed regret that “over the past few years, the problems of insurgency and criminality in Yobe State and other parts of the North have led to many deaths and injuries and caused untold hardship to millions of innocent people.”
He added, “The Yobe State Government will continue to partner with the military Joint Task Force, JTF, and other security agents to ensure normalcy across the state.
“The good people of this state should note, however that the proclamation of a state of emergency by Mr. President does not affect the political structure in the state. This administration will remain focused and committed in the ongoing task of transforming the state through the provision of much-needed social services. We will continue to work closely with the security agents and will ensure that their conduct reflects the spirit of the emergency declaration by the President; and the rules of engagement specified for that purpose.
“I called on the people to go about their normal and legitimate businesses and to report any suspicious movements in their areas to security agents. The people also should not to relent in praying to the Almighty God for the restoration of peace and security in the state and the country in general.”
Meanwhile, the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kano, yesterday placed its officers on high alert in the aftermath of the state of emergency declared in three states of the North on Tuesday by President Jonathan.
Kano, the economic centre of the North was among northern states threatened by violence fostered allegedly by militants of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, following the January 20, 2011 multiple bomb explosives that rocked the city.
National Mirror recalls that concerted efforts by the state government and security agents via the Joint Task Force and the police brought the situation under control as the state now witness relative peace.
In an interview with our correspondent yesterday, spokesman for Bukavu Barracks, Kano, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said the Brigade had placed combatant officers on the alert to take care of any eventuality.
“There has been fresh deployment of personnel in the city to fortify the state, especially with the state of emergency declared in some Northern states to avoid any situation that will disrupt the peace Kano people are enjoying now.”
He reasoned that with the emergency rule in the affected volatile states, pressure may force most of the militants to flee the areas in search of refuge elsewhere, “so we have to be on the lookout.”
Iweha said the Brigade is not leaving anything to chance. “We have to keep the tempo until the desired result is achieved, which is total peace in Kano. So, we are not relaxing because we now have relative peace. Rather, we are still working harder to sustain it.
“We have also increased the number of soldiers in the streets, raids on suspected hideouts will be carried out,” he said.
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