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.
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we pray it will work. everybody need peace. but if it doesnt then the whole naija will be on the emergency state,
ReplyDeleteI so much love that 19th paragraph! Let the Bokoharams get an interpreter to read it loud & clear to them. Well done Mr. President. God bless Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteRIGHT DECISON, But coming rather too late. And what are u keeping the governor & others for?
ReplyDeleteNice one Jonah. God help Nigeria
ReplyDeleteI don't know why the President is keeping the Governors. He should remove them and replace them with competent people.
ReplyDeleteGood decision for what U did. God will give more power fear not. God be with u always
ReplyDeleteAnother mistake! This is HALF state of emergency. What are you keeping the bloody and corrupt civilian politicians in these affected states for? Are you aware that some of them might be the sponsors or the supporters of these evil terrorist! To leave them to work with the military? So that every military operation will be known in advance by the Boko Haram? Or for them to be reporting any military move to the Human Right idiots, or their Press? I'm sorry, this is not State of Emergency but an elongated civilian mandate!
ReplyDeleteGood work, but why do you keep the political holders in the states you decleared stete of Emergency?pls look at that.
ReplyDeleteYou got ur balls back Mr President.. Hope you won't loose it again anytime soon because you really need all the way.. Whoever wrote the speech for you impress me with this part.. we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice.. Sound like Obama style to me.. Go get this animals Mr. President.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeletewow may God help u sir
ReplyDeleteI think those states should be under total military control and rules for the period of this emergency. Retaining the governors and politicians look political and confused measure. What laws can the assembly make? What rules can the governor make at this can of times? They can only stand in the ways of the soldiers.
ReplyDeleteGod help you , my honest opinion is that ,give all the political
ReplyDeleteoffice holders three months of grace. If no meaningful changes, declare total state of emergency.... We are praying with you sir.
I solidly go in line with all of u being against the retention of governors and political lords. It is no state of emergency at all, bcos those gov'nors and political lords are in connection with the rebels, so to me, there's no solution proffered yet. Mr. President will have to get them off their respective positions and the nigerian forces take over completely.
ReplyDeleteWow, mr president nice step sir,But i hope the leaving the Governors is not for political purposes. From nduka plan
ReplyDeleteA step in the right direction Mr. President!
ReplyDeleteBe not afraid all these (insurgency wahala) will expire soon as everything has an expiry date. I also like how you have acted throughout this problem, giving dialogue and common sense the opportunity to take its course. But I think its time to apply force in the right places, just as you have started to do with 'The State of Emergency'. I also believe allowing the political office holders to remain in their position is to give them the chance to contribute to the quest of finding lasting solution and for them not to sabotage the quest for PEACE. I will advice that these politicians contribution towards the ultimate goal of PEACE should be evaluated forth-nightly or monthly. Anyone that is found wanting, should be shown the door and prosecuted for failure to uphold his oath of office.
God help Nigeria.....
The President is a Politician, after all. He has left the political structures intact against popular expectations because he wants to be in their good books come 2015.
ReplyDeleteWe are all playing politics with the sovereignty of and the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
I reject this half-measure until a full-blown (and proper) state of emergency is declared by Mr. President.
This is how a President should talk and act, nice one, even that it is belated. There ought to have been a total state of emergency, meaning - the politicians should be swept aside. The governors, assembly members should all be removed because some of them could be the sponsors of this animals.
ReplyDeleteKudos sir,but half truth can never b d truth,i c some politice here! What has d military got 2 do wit civilians in a war zone? pls try & watch "24 hours" season film, by Jack bawa. May God help u.
ReplyDeleteThe military should take over completely and absolutely....no political structures should exist for the meantime. Articles 15 and 16 of this speech have defeated the aim of this remedy.
ReplyDeleteJonathan is too soft for Nigeria. Nigerians need an action man, some are there not wanting to see peace in Nigeria.
ReplyDelete