BEVERLY HILLS, November 10, (THEWILL) –Yobe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, Monday, challenged President Goodluck Jonathan on the wisdom in instituting Emergency Rule in the North East, saying the emergency rule regime has increased terrorist attacks in the state.
The governor, who lamented Monday’s bomb attack on a secondary school in Potiskum, said the suicide attack has left him heartbroken.
Gaidam in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdullahi Bego, said: “This morning, our State woke up to a very sad and heart-breaking news of a bomb attack on our young students at Government Comprehensive School, Potiskum in which no fewer than 35 students were killed and many more injured.”
The statement said while the Governor’s thoughts and prayers are with the parents, teachers and families of the innocent victims of the callous and reprehensible attack, “the governor is heartbroken and words cannot adequately convey the extent of his remorse and sadness.”
According to the statement, “The governor has noted that this is the fifth time in a little over one year when our schools in Yobe State were brutally attacked and students killed. There was Government Secondary School, Damaturu; Government Secondary School Mamudo; College of Agriculture, Gujba; Federal Government College, Buni-Yadi; and now Government Comprehensive School, Potiskum.
“Governor Gaidam deeply regrets that all of these dastardly attacks took place under a climate of Emergency Rule declared in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“In theory, the Emergency Rule Declaration was a signal that more vigorous steps would be taken to protect the lives and property of people in the affected States and deploy the full might of the Federal Government to restore peace and security. Unfortunately, this has not been fully the case. Instead of forcing insurgents and criminals to flee; the insurgents are forcing innocent people to flee and making life miserable for everyone.
“Governor Gaidam believes that President Goodluck Jonathan has a very urgent responsibility to explain to the people of Yobe State and people all across the affected States why murderous and callous insurgent and criminal attacks are still on the rise despite the State of Emergency.
“The governor also insist that it was not just enough for the Federal Government to condemn the almost daily rounds of violence. He believes urgent action must be taken right now to restore a fast waning public confidence by doing whatever it takes to stop the escalating violence.”
Gaidam, who ordered the immediate closure of all public schools around the Potiskum area until a full review of the situation is undertaken,however called on residents of the state to exercise restraint and continue to pray for God’s intervention.
He also directed hospitals in Potiskum to provide free medical support to victims of the school attack , saying his government will also offset the medical bills of some of the victims who have been referred to the Federal Medical Centres in Nguru and Azare.
He also directed the Commissioner of Health to undertake regular review of the conditions of victims to suggest ways of further assisting the victims.
