Pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and to further give effect to the process of proclaiming bandits as terrorists, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has requested President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a full scale state of emergency in all areas where criminals, so determined, are domiciled.
Tambuwal, who made the request when he met with President Buhari at the Presidential villa on Monday, said such a move would enable the Armed Forces to carry out their operations without let or hindrance in all enclaves affected by the declaration.
He said that the operations, once conceived and ready for execution, should be carried out simultaneously in the states where the terrorists have strongholds, such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi; as well as elsewhere, where the criminals have hideouts.
Tambuwal also called on the President to give premium to the deployment of more manpower to all beleaguered areas just as he advocated for the procurement of sophisticated equipment, particularly, modern technology-which use is now centered around the deployment of drones globally.
The governor also appealed to the President, to consider popular opinions suggesting the recall of retired personnel for engagement in the war against terrorists and the recruitment of more personnel in all the security services.
In view of the security situation in the Sahel, which has escalated tension in the sub-region, the need to ask the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to seek extensive cooperation with the United Kingdom, France and the United States of America on security issues was also opined by Tambuwal.
