Poll: Nigerians Differ on Extension of Emergency Rule in North-east

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A State of Security Poll (SoS), conducted by NOIPolls, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), yesterday revealed that majority of Nigerians across the country are divided over the extension of emergency rule by the federal government in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

The three states had become the hotbed of security challenges in the country.

The report shows that Nigerians from the North-central and North-west regions are in support of the extension of emergency rule in the troubled areas, even as those from the troubled zones are however, opposed to it.

The organisers of the poll however, said the main objectives of the state of security surveys were to gauge the perceptions of Nigerians regarding the state of security within their communities and the nation as a whole.

The disclosure, which was made available to THISDAY in Abuja, in its second quarter poll ratings, showed that 76 per cent are apprehensive of the state of insecurity across the country.

“On one hand, when asked to rate the current state of security in the country, majority 76 per cent were of the opinion that the country is not secure,” the poll stated.

In a further revelation, the poll added: “When asked to rate the state of insecurity in their local communities, only 34 per cent viewed their communities as insecure, an indication that one feels safer when the danger is not in close proximity.

“Interestingly, a reverse of this is found in the North-east region that views the country as much safer than their communities.”

On the impact of checkpoints mounted by security agents across the highways, it said a slight majority of 47 per cent think that security checkpoints are effective in deterring terrorist attacks, while 43 per cent think that checkpoints are ineffective.

According to the poll, top key measures identified by Nigerians to help tackle security challenges in the country include unity among religious leaders, increased security within the country borders and better motivation of security personnel with good pay, equipment and training.

The report also underscored insecurity as a major challenge the current administration was battling with, adding: “Also the current state of insecurity in the country has affected the president’s approval ratings in the last couple of months as incessant attacks across the country continued.

“A combination of terrorist attacks, ethnic clashes and violent clashes within communities have further heightened the need to deal with the insecurity and its effect on lives and properties of the Nigerian people.”