Jonathan Asks Lawmakers To Extend State Of Emergency

Goodluck Jonathan asked legislators Wednesday to extend, for another six months, the state of emergency in three northeastern states that have been bloodied by attacks by the armed Islamic group Boko Haram.
Goodluck Jonathan’s request was made in letters presented to the House of Representatives and the Senate in Abuja.
Jonathan’s letter claimed “considerable successes in containing the activities of the terrorist element” but said some security challenges still exist. Jonathan said he expects “normalcy will be fully restored” within another six months.
Boko Haram attacks have killed hundreds of civilians in northeastern Nigeria in recent weeks. On Oct. 16, the extremists engaged security forces in a five-hour battle in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state, in which they burned down an army barracks and four police buildings.
Jonathan declared a state of emergency on May 14 that was approved by Parliament to cover the states of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno.