President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the National Assembly to approve another six months of emergency rule in three north east states worst hit by Boko Haram violence.
In separate letters to the Senate and the House of Representatives, the president asked the lawmakers to review the period of the emergency as the first six months he declared in May, ends November.
Mr. Jonathan said security forces have recorded considerable gains within the first six months and that he believed normalcy will fully return to crisis-ridden areas in the next six months.
"As a result of the laudable effort of our armed forces, we have achieved considerable gains," the president said.
The fresh tenure, if approved by the National Assembly, will take effect from November 12, he said.
The president's letter came as the senate received the report of its investigation into the killings of squatters in Apo quarters in Abuja, by security agents.
At least seven men were shot dead by soldiers and members of the State Security Services, SSS, in an early morning raid mid-September.
Military authorities claimed the men were members of Islamist sect, Boko Haram. But that claim has been forcefully denied by witnesses, residents and survivors. Witnesses said the men were mere artisans and that the killing was extrajudicial.
Authorities have failed to show convincing evidence to back their claim.
While ordering the report, lawmakers said even where those killed were Boko Haram militants, they should have been arrested and prosecuted, as there was no evidence to show that they attacked the soldiers.
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