Monarch urges end to emergency rule in Yobe councils

CHAIRMAN of Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers (YOCTR) and Emir of Fika, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, has called on the Federal Government to end the state of emergency imposed in five councils of the state last December following terrorists’ attacks.

The monarch made the call yesterday in Potiskum when the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, paid a visit to the city to commiserate with the people over the recent attack on a cattle market, which claimed many lives and property.

Muhammadu said: “People are complaining over the state of emergency imposed by the President. They said it has affected their means of livelihood; the people also complained that despite the presence of men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), they are not safe, they feel the state of emergency has made less impact, and want you to look into their request in order to cushion the suffering of the people.”

He lamented that the economy of the area was being destroyed, adding that Potiskum was a gateway and commercial town that attracted businesses from all walks of life.

He said: “We want the Federal Government to look into ways of cushioning the hardship of our people, we know we are in a state of emergency, but it is about to expire. So we appeal for its suspension by the President.”

Responding, Ngama said what has happened at the cattle market was from God, adding “this cattle market is an ancient one in West Africa. Though there had been cases of robberies, we have never seen such mass destruction. We pray to God to prevent its recurrence and for those that lost their lives, may Allah grant them eternal rest and those that lost their property, may God return them to normalcy. May God bless the market.

“We went round and saw the scene of the incident, we gave them donations, we have heard their complaints, they said before there was a police outpost in the market, but it was abandoned. I promised them to take the matter to Police Affairs Minister so that the police post would be re-established, if necessary, a new police station would be provided in the market.”