Address by President Jonathan on state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, Plateau Address by President Jonathan on state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, Plateau.

Fellow Nigerians, it has
become necessary to
address you on recent
events in some parts of
the country that have
threatened our collective
security and shaken the
foundations of our
corporate existence as a
nation.
2. You are all aware of
the security challenges
which the activities of the
Boko Haram sect have
foisted on the country.
What began as sectarian
crises in the North
Eastern parts of the
country has gradually
evolved into terrorist
activities in different
parts of the country with
attendant negative
consequences on our
national security.
3. Government in an
effort to find a lasting
solution to the security
threats occasioned by
the activities of the Boko
Haram sect, constituted a
Presidential Committee
under the Chairmanship
of Ambassador Usman
Gaji Galtimari, to
ascertain the immediate
and remote causes of the
crises. While efforts are
being made to implement
the recommendations of
the Committee, the crises
have assumed a terrorist
dimension with vital
institutions of
government including the
United Nations Building
and places of worship
becoming targets of
terrorist attacks.
4. While the search for
lasting solutions is
ongoing, it has become
imperative to take some
decisive measures
necessary to restore
normalcy in the country
especially within the
affected communities.
Consequently, I have in
the exercise of the
powers conferred on me
by the provisions of
section 305(1) of the
Constitution, declared a
state of emergency in the
following parts of the
federation, namely:
(i) Borno State
a) Maidugiri Metropolitan
LGA
b) Gamboru Ngala LGA
c) Banki Bama LGA
d) Biu LGA
e) Jere LGA
(ii) Yobe State
a) Damaturu LGA
b) Geidam LGA
c) Potiskum LGA
d) Buniyadi-Gujba LGA
e) Gasua-Bade LGA
(iii) Plateau State
a) Jos North LGA
b) Jos South LGA
c) Barkin-Ladi LGA
d) Riyom LGA
(iv) Niger State
a) Suleja LGA
The details of this
proclamation will be
transmitted to the
National Assembly as
soon as they reconvene
from their current
recess, for their
necessary action.
5. The Chief of Defence
Staff and the Inspector-
General of Police have
been directed to put
appropriate measures in
place to ensure the
protection of lives and
properties of residents in
the affected parts of the
country. I therefore urge
the political leadership in
the affected states and
Local Government Areas
to give maximum
cooperation to the law
enforcement agencies
deployed to their
respective communities to
ensure that the situation
is brought under control
within the shortest
possible time.
6. The Chief of Defence
Staff, in collaboration with
other Service Chiefs, has
also been directed to set
up a special force unit
within the Armed Forces,
with dedicated counter
terrorism responsibilities.
7. As part of the overall
strategy to overcome the
current security
challenges, I have
directed the closure of
the land borders
contiguous to the
affected Local
Government Areas so as
to control incidences of
cross boarder terrorist
activities as terrorists
have taken advantage of
the present situation to
strike at targets in
Nigeria and retreat
beyond the reach of our
law enforcement
personnel.
8. Let me assure our
neighbours, especially
within the ECOWAS sub-
region, of Nigeria’s
commitment to its
international obligations
as provided by the
ECOWAS Protocol on Free
Movement of Persons.
The temporary closure of
our borders in the
affected areas is only an
interim measure designed
to address the current
security challenges and
will be reviewed as soon
as normalcy is restored.
9. I commend the efforts
of our political leaders at
various levels as well as
our traditional and
religious leaders for their
support for the various
conflict resolution
mechanisms and peace
building measures that
have been initiated by
this administration. We
call on the citizenry to
continue to provide
useful information to our
law enforcement agencies
to enable us arrest the
situation.
10. Terrorism is a war
against all of us. I call on
all Nigerians to join
hands with government
to fight these terrorists.
11. I wish all Nigerians a
very happy New Year.
12. Long Live the
Federal Republic of
Nigeria.