Declare state of emergency in Sokoto, other states – Tambuwal to Buhari

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a full-scale state of emergency in all areas in Sokoto and other northern states where terrorists have claimed territories.

This, according to him, is pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and to further give effect to the president’s proclamation of bandits as terrorists.

Tambuwal, who met with Buhari at the Presidential villa on Monday evening for about 30 minutes, said the state of emergency would enable the Armed Forces to carry out their operations without let or hindrance in all areas affected by the declaration.

The governor’s Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, in a statement on Monday December 13, 2021, quoted Tambuwal as saying these operations, once conceived and ready for execution, “should be carried out simultaneously in the states where the terrorists have strongholds, such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi; as well as elsewhere, where the criminals have hideouts.”

According to the statement, Tambuwal also called on the President to give a premium to the deployment of more manpower to all beleaguered areas just as he advocated for the procurement of sophisticated equipment, particularly, modern technology – which use is now centred around the deployment of drones globally.

He also appealed to the President, to consider popular opinions suggesting the recall of retired personnel for engagement in the war against terrorists and the recruitment of more personnel in all the security services.

READ: Declare state of emergency on security now, House tells Buhari

In view of the security situation in the Sahel, which has escalated tension in the sub-region, the need to ask the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to seek extensive cooperation with the United Kingdom, France and the United States of America on security issues was also suggested by the governor, according to the statement.

On Friday, President Buhari sent a high-level delegation, made up of the heads of the nation’s intelligence and security services, to Sokoto and Katsina States in response to the recent spike in terrorists’ attacks.

The delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), included the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba; the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi; the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major General Samuel Adebayo.