Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamwa – one of the three states in Nigeria’s North-East currently under emergency rule – has said that the state did not expect the development but nevertheless commended the conduct of federal troops enforcing the declaration.

Nyako, who spoke at the State House in Yola while receiving the Defence Headquarters Operations Assessment Team during the weekend, also commended the conduct of the people of Adamawa State, according to the latest Mission Update from Nigeria’s Defence Headqaurters.

“Governor Nyako said though the state was not expecting the State of Emergency, he however commended the Armed Forces on the way it was being implemented. He said there had been no report of human rights abuse within the State and the troops have been living in peace with the populace,” wrote Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade. He quoted the governor as saying: “The children are more disciplined and the soldiers well-behaved. The youths are beginning to see the need for togetherness and the advantages of it.”

According to the Mission Update: “Speaking further, Governor Nyako said the emergency rule had affected the akara sellers, suya sellers and all others who operate between the hours of 6pm to 10pm the most. The State has therefore instituted a welfare scheme to cater for this category of people. He said the way the Government of the State has cooperated with the military in ensuring security should be a model to be studied and copied by other states.

“Speaking earlier, the leader of the DHQ Team, had thanked the governor for his support for the security agencies in the state before and after the declaration of emergency. He also thanked Governor Nyako for sensitising the people of the state to cooperate with the troops. He commended the Governor for organising a skill acquisition programme that also benefitted women in the barracks.

“While at Konkol, a border town with Cameroon the Wakilin Konkol, Mahia LGA, Alhaji Ibrahim MuminiYuguda, commended the conduct of the troops deployed to the community. He said the troops have been operating in peace with the members of the community since their arrival and the community members have been going about their normal activities unhindered. “Affirming the traditional ruler’s statement, the Councilor of Konkol, Mohammed Maji, also implored the DHQ to ensure that if there was going to be any rotation of personnel, troops of the same traits should be deployed. He pledged that the community would continue to assist the troops to ensure peace and security.

“At Gurin, Fufore LGA, another border town with Nigerian-Cameroon boundary, where the DHQ team met with the traditional ruler and members of the community, the Hakimin Gurin, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Yero commended the troops deployed there noting that they have conducted their operations professionally as expected of a well-trained and disciplined force. A Youth leader, Mohammed Mara, pledged the continued support of the community stating that information will always be provided to the deployed troops to help them in their assignment.

“The team has since returned to brief the Defence Headquarters on all operational matters as noted in Adamawa State.”

•Photo courtesy Defence Headquarters shows Governor Nyako welcoming the leader of the DHQ delegation to Government House, Yola.

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