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The federal government Monday reiterated its assurance that it would lift the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States as soon as normalcy returns in the areas.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, gave the assurance while playing host to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, Mr. Said Djinnit, who paid him courtesy call in Abuja.
Ashiru described the operation of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) as an “open” one.
“The military operations have been very open; the purpose of the operation is to defend the civilians and the people in those states affected.
“There is a mode of operation put in place and the military is there to ensure that there is no vacuum for terrorists groups to operate,” he said.
The federal government had on May 14 declared a state of emergency the three states, following the continued attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group, which caused general insecurity in parts of the north.
Ashiru further told the UN special representative that there were no cases of human rights abuse since the declaration of a state of emergency in the states.
He explained that government was not interested in prolonging the partial emergency rule, but was likely, keep up with the campaign, in terms of protection of lives and sovereignty of Nigeria.
Ashiru added that the local communities have also expressed delight at the operations of the military.
“When the emergency rule was declared, I told ambassadors and high commissioners in the country that this military operation will be made open and there will be no case of human rights abuse and that the military will operate under strict codes of conduct,” he said.
Earlier, the UN representative reiterated the resolve of the organisation to work with Nigeria in tackling terrorism.
Djinnit said: “UN is here to support the capacity of Nigeria to fight this scourge with respect to human rights.
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