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.
Tags
Politics
Fine words good action plans. God will see you through.
ReplyDeleteWe also beg that those Big names that have been convicted for one state issue or the other should be practically called to book.
This was done to some Banks Executives and because they had no concrete stake in politics their cases were rounded up almost freely. We thus beg that the fight againt militancy, insurgencies and acts of terrorism should start from the table of powers.
That is where the fundings come from.
The local indigene who is involved suicide bombing has not seen the ports through which these weapons of madness come into the country, the big boys who know that money can be made through illegal sales of arms are the ones we need to take the battle to.
In such wise, as much as we take drastic actions against inland insurgencies, let us take steps to secure our ports, set up security agencies to monitor private jest, planes, boats and yatches.
Let us strategically relocate our police stations instead of building them along the roads as we have them so unfortunately placed, they could be pushed in a bit while fortifications are put in place. This will prevent insurgent attacks-which is a venue through which they gain arms.
We pray for you Jonathan.
They may ridicule your efforts but if your plans come in fruition you would have become the best among the rest.9ja ro'nu
Enough is Enough, Mr president. I salute u.
ReplyDeleteMR President should have suspended the governors in these three states for a minimum period of 6 months and allow full military rule to tame the monster called ' Boko Haram'
ReplyDeleteI do not see how effective these emergency rules can be with the 'impotent' governors still at the saddle of events.
Anyway, let us wait and see, nothing to cheer about the action of Mr. President.
They might be terminated eventually if they are found guilty
ReplyDeleteI salute ur courage and decision. God help Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteGood luck U̶̲̥̅̊я̩̥̊ name prsides U̶̲̥̅̊. For τ̲̅ђǝ̥ first time U̶̲̥̅̊ A̶̲̥̅̊я̲̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ on point,its about time.W̶̲̥̅̊н̲̣̣̣̥α̇̇̇t̶̲̥̅̊ took U̶̲̥̅̊ S̶̲̥̅ơ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ long.
ReplyDeleteAll we need is action and result,and I can see the action now,the result is what we are now waiting for. God bless you Mr president
ReplyDeleteWicked president, bring badluck to nation. Why must you declared the state of emergency, is it a new development.
ReplyDeleteGodwin watch wat u say.
ReplyDelete