Nigeria Is Now In A State Of Emergency- Yakubu Dogara

Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Yakubu Dogara, says Nigeria is currently in
a statement of emergency.




While speaking at a “Capacity/Interactive
Needs Assessment Workshop of Security
Sector Related Committees in the House of
Representatives.” in Abuja yesterday,
Dogara said the deployment of military
personnel in over 28 states in the country
to engage in civil and security duties
constitutionally reserved for the Nigeria
Police, is an indication that Nigeria is
currently in a statement of emergency.



According to him, soldiers who are meant
to be complimenting the job of the police,
can now be seen in all parts of the country,
doing the civil duties of the police and
other security agents.




He added that this
trend is worrisome.



“It is worrisome that Nigeria is
effectively permanently in a state of
emergency as the Armed Forces are
deployed in more than 28 states of
the federation in peacetime.



The
Armed Forces have virtually taken
over routine police work in Nigeria.




They are no longer acting in aid of
civil authorities but have become the
civil authorities.




Section 217 of the
constitution spells out the duties and
responsibilities of the Armed Forces
of Nigeria, which include defending
Nigeria from external aggression;
maintaining Nigeria’s territorial
integrity; and securing our borders
from violation from land, sea or air;
suppressing insurrection and acting
in aid of civil authorities to restore
order when called upon to do so by
the President”he said