The state of emergency imposed on the troubled north-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states on May 14 last year has been extended by yet another six months.

Putting public interest ahead of sectional and religious ones, the Senate today unanimously approved President Goodluck Jonathan’s written request for the extension of the measure aimed at containing the campaign of violence by Boko Haram terrorists.

The House of Representatives had last Thursday approved the request for the extension of the emergency rule despite spirited attempts by Muslim and northern leaders for the National Assembly members from the North to shoot down the request.

Disclosing rationale behind the unanimous support for the President’s request, spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed, had said that members had a rethink after listening to military chiefs who briefed the House on the progress so far made since the commencement of the emergency rule in the affected states.

The House was briefed on the efforts at rescuing the over 200 students abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno State.

The Senate, on the other hand, rose from a three-hour closed door meeting with the security chiefs, and resolved to consult with relevant stakeholders before taking decision on the President’s request for extension of the emergency.

News Express had predicted that the Senate would follow suit today, and that has now come to pass.

•Photo shows soldiers enforcing the emergency rule in the North-East.