In a broadcast to the nation at 7pm Yesterday,
Tuesday the 14th of 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of
Emergency on some states in Northern Nigeria in response to the escalation of
violence and terrorist activities occasioned by the violent Islamic sect,
Jam'atu Ahlis Sunnah L'dda'awatih wal-Jihad, otherwise known as Boko
Haram.
The states in which the emergency
has been declared are Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. The President directed the
Chief of Defence Staff to ensure that member of the armed forces do everything,
within the rules of engagement of the armed forces, to crush the rebellion in
those states.
Full transcript of the President's
speech below;
ADDRESS BY:
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN,
GCFR
ON THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF
EMERGENCY IN BORNO, YOBE AND ADAMAWA
STATES IN ORDER TO RESTORE PUBLIC
ORDER, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE AFFECTED STATES OF THE FEDERATION
MAY 14, 2013
Dear compatriots,
1. It has become
necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and
protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in
Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa,
Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. These unfortunate events have led to
needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including
members of our security forces.
2. The recent killing of
security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly
condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying
and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the
operatives.
3. The activities of
insurgents and terrorists have been reprehensible, causing fear among our
citizens and a near-breakdown of law and order in parts of the country,
especially the North. We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the
root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic
effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilize the Nigerian state and test
our collective resolve.
4. Since I returned to
the country after cutting short my visit to South Africa and aborting a planned
state visit to Namibia, I have received detailed briefings from our security
agencies. These briefings indicate that what we are facing is not just
militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups
which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity.
Already, some northern parts of Borno state have been taken over by groups
whose allegiance is to different flags and ideologies.
5. These terrorists and
insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our
beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country. In many
places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state
authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of
alternative sovereignty.
6. They have attacked
government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and
state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as
hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt
to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial
integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this.
7. Previously, we adopted a
multi-track approach to the resolution of this problem through actions which
included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political,
religious and community leaders in the affected states.
8. We exercised restraint to
allow for all efforts by both State Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to
stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.
9. Yet, the insurgents and
terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional
obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass
murder, division and separatism.
10. While the efforts at persuasion
and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to
ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign
integrity of our country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from
doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for
the citizens of this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.
11. We have a duty to stand firm
against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will
is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.
12. Following recent
developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for Government to
take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy. After wide consultations, and
in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305,
sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as
amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa
states.
13. Accordingly, the Chief of
Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these
states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other
security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary
action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the
impunity of insurgents and terrorists.
14. This will include the authority
to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any
building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of
terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons
in illegal possession of weapons.
15. The details of this
Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with
the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear
that within the purview of this Proclamation, the Governors and other political
office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge their
constitutional responsibilities.
16. I urge the
political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to co-operate maximally
with the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We
call on the citizenry to co-operate with our security agencies to ensure a
return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.
17. I am again
approaching our neighbouring countries, through diplomatic channels, as done in
the recent past, for their co-operation in apprehending any terrorist elements
that may escape across the border.
18. Nigerians are
peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our
nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.
19. I want to reassure you all that
those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against
the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists
who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be,
wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we
will bring them to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war
against terror.
20.I am convinced that with your
support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will
restore every part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.
Long live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
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