THE
NIGERIAN
20
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013
State of Emergency
‘Soldiers Won’t Hunt Extremists, They will Hunt Our Women’ – Northern Herdsmen
IT’S no longer news that our President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) has taken what has so far been described as the toughest policy decision since he assumed office in his recent ordering of army into three states of the federation in an attempt to curb the increasingly violent attacks by the armed group known as Boko Haram, a move which the President himself says is “extraordinary measures,” thereby disappointing his critics who say his administration has been the weakest in this democratic experiment. The state of emergency, imposed in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno comes after a spate of attacks on security forces and government targets by Boko Haram in its north-eastern stronghold this month. Jonathan has made it clear that more troops would “immediately” be deployed to the areas. The implication of this is that there will be foot soldiers lurking round every nook and cranny of these states, whether in their full military gear or in combatant, camouflaged appurtenances all in a bid to restore public safety and security. Presently, over 2,600 soldiers are said to have been deployed. The declaration is in accordance with the provisions of section 305 (3(c) (d) (f) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, which states that the President shall have power to issue a state of emergency only when there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety, there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and safety in the federation or any part to require extraordinary measure to restore peace & security or to avert such danger! And if there is any other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the federation. The President argued away other issues, that the terrorists have established control over several parts of the nation, destroyed state property and hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty in some parts of the country and send in more troops into the affected states and equip them with sweeping powers of arrest, detention, search, etc. The utility of this remains doubtful especially within the context of the recent Baga debacle where over 200 citizens were allegedly murdered by security agents and thousands of houses were burnt and destroyed. However, a cross section of the Nigerian populace has however criticized the President’s move, saying there
was no need for it since the amnesty programme was already set in motion by the Federal Government. “Declaration of state of emergency rule is a backward approach to critical situations in a democratic society, to the extent that the rule of law is subverted, people are psychologically traumatized, real governance is suspended, development is jettisoned and the essence of the emergency
particularly the affected states, expressed their worry about soldiers lurking around their neighbourhoods and their comments were posted on social media. “We are worried… about soldiers …they could be terrible when they are armed.” They noted that armed military personnel could subject people to all sorts of ordeal, including asking men to do frog jumps in the presence of their wives and
said under condition of anonymity. On their part, women from the affected states are already washing and sunning their hijab, the religious shawl which apparently gives an element of protection. A seamstress from Yobe said more women are coming around to sew hijabs together and the demand for it has increased overnight. “While the ‘war’ would last,
FEMINIQUE With IJEOMA UMEH email: ladywithgoldenpen@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08182382839 “Let the women or girl who has attained the age of maturity be free to chose what she wants to do with her life, whether to go with a soldier or civilian and she should do it willingly not under the force of arms. That would amount to subjugation of rights and subvertion of justice.” around with innocent people. We are also in the band wagon of fighting extremists, so if the soldiers come here and behave in a manner suggestive of acting
• President Goodluck Jonathan rule itself is defeated!” Says Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Lagos State House of Assembly. The argument flows from the fragility of the Nigerian State and the intent of some mischief makers who are bent on destabilizing the country and pushing it toward anarchy and disintegration. Residents of these states are already said to be ‘very NIgerians knowing how the present scheme of things would affect them, emotionally, psychologically, economically and otherwise. Four Herdsmen from Borno State, apparently speaking the minds of their contemporaries in other Northern States,
children, flogging family men with ‘koboko’ (cowhide lash) and touching women’s vital organs before their men’s very eyes and that some of them even organize rapes, forceful abduction of women and girls from families, torture of family heads and obtaining whatever caught their fancy by trick or force of arms. Aside that, they complained, accidental discharges become rampant and while the soldiers appear to be battling insurgents, families appear to be mourning more frequently from loss of loved ones. “The soldiers are temperamental. Let government tame them before sending them into our streets” a village head
we will be comfortable in our hijab” one young wife was quoted as saying. However, a critic of the state of emergency, a leader of a Northern youth coalition says the soldiers should come here and mind the orders they have been given and not to mess
extremely, we will treat them as extremists.” To support the youth, Sharia exponents are also threatening to put Sharia to work if anyone is found acting in a manner that would violate the provisions of the Sharia Law. “We are cautioning everyone, both our women, our young
daughters and even the soldiers. We are ready to declare fatua on anyone who does not act according to Allah’s command, whether soldier or civilian.” Meanwhile, Gender Advocates are calling on government to be alive to its responsibilities by ensuring that all the social variables for the declaration of a state of emergency are fully reconsidered and properly addressed, including the adequate safety of lives and property, the upholding of the people’s fundamental right to life, freedom to fend for their families and safety from aggression and resultant effects of such a period as this. The Country Director, Partnership for Women and Justice, an NGO, Maryam Akande stated that the safety of women and children, even the safety of husbands and property should be the primary aims of a good State of Emergency. According to her, women and children suffer so much in such war situations, and their wellbeing, the calculable loses and hardships they would suffer in such situations should be curtailed. She also stated that their freedom of choice should also not be overlooked and their rights to equal and fair treatment should be upheld. “Let the women or girl who has attained the age of maturity be free to chose what she wants to do with her life, whether to go with a soldier or civilian and she should do it willingly not under the force of arms. That would amount to subjugation of rights and subvertion of justice.” She however added that AIDS is real and that informed choice should also include use of contraceptives and antibiotics. Nigerians are also calling on the president to, as a matter of importance, fortify the men of the Joint Tax Force with all the necessary equipment, arms and ammunition. And, if we may add, moral discretion.
Words On Mareble
The one “word you will need is no” -
Bette Davis To Robin Williams